What are we learning in music class?

Every grade from kindergarten through fifth grade features active music making with chants, singing, movement, instrument and games.  

There are six primary concepts in the music curriculum:

1. Melody: high & low sounds, the ability to hear and match individual pitches both vocally and on instruments.  

2. Harmony: recognizing and playing accompaniments, learning to sing in canon (rounds), partner songs & chords.

3. Rhythm: recognition and playing steady beat as well as patterns of notes and rests.

4. Form: identification of patterns and phrases within songs.

5. Timbre: identification of sound quality and classification (instrument family, choral families).

6. Expression: recognition and practice of how music conveys and inspires emotion.

           How is my child graded in music class?

Kindergarten-Fifth Grade: grades are issued twice a year for special area classes at end of second & fourth quarters in December & May.  

Students receive two marks as follows:

Demonstrating musical growth & development: demonstrating progress on the concepts above.  Students are graded on a 1-4 scale for special area as follows:

• • 1: Student is just starting to learn a new concept.

  • 2: Student can demonstrate concepts with assistance.

  • 3: Student can demonstrate concepts independently. 

  • 4: Student demonstrates significant mastery and assists others in need of help.

Appropriate effort & attitude: Students are graded on a 1-4 scale for music as follows:

• • 1: Student is struggling significantly.  Teacher has been in contact with parents.

  • 2: Student may struggle at times but is making progress towards class & individual goals.

  • 3: Student is making good progress towards class & individual goals.

  • 4: Student is exceptional and is soaring above & beyond!

When does my child attend music class?

Students attend music class once a week for 60 minutes. Please consult your child's class schedule for when your child will attend class.

What can my child expect in music class?

Students can expect to sing, move, and play instruments each week in music class.  We will also practice both audience and performance behaviors as well as active listening with musical selections from a variety of time periods and world cultures. 

Will my child have concerts?

Performances are an exciting a part of the active music making process!  This year's concert calendar is below. Elementary concerts are typically 3-6 songs with an estimated running time of 20-35 minutes. This year at Crossroads, you will experience several Orff concerts that are based on picture books. Orff programs incorporate a combination of singing, saying (chants and rhythms), movement, and instruments. Concerts are prepared as part of the school day and do not require students to attend rehearsals outside of school hours except for the final performance. 

• Kindergarten Celebration: "Mini-Concert" of 2-3 shorts songs on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 6:30pm., Crossroads gymnasium

• 1st grade: "Blue on Blue": Thursday, April 25th, 2024 6:30 p.m., Crossroads gymnasium. 

• 2nd grade: No performance this year. We will be working on how to be great audience members in the classroom!

• 3rd grade: "You Belong Here": Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 6:30 p.m., Crossroads gymnasium.

• 4th grade: No performance this year. We will be working on how to be great audience members in the classroom!

• 5th grade: No performance this year. We will be working on how to be great audience members in the classroom!

Are there any required materials?

While not required, athletic shoes are a good idea as we do a great deal of movement activities, not to mention your student will be playing at recess everyday! 

 Get to Know the Music Teachers!