Some of the curriculum we are using-
Conversational Solfege-
This general music curriculum was written by John M. Feierabend, a leader in early music education. His Conversational Solfege curriculum focuses on teaching our students music through folk songs, especially American folk songs. He uses solfege and rhythm syllables as a method toward understanding notation.
First Steps in Music-
John M. Feierabend’s music curriculum for early elementary focuses on folk songs and singing games. This curriculum is designed to help early elementary students become confident with singing alone and with others in a comfortable classroom setting.
Move it! Monthly-
Each month the students will be learning a sequence of movements to a specific piece of classical music. The motions for each piece focus on themes in the music. We will be learning a new one each month. The Move It! for the month of September is Bach’s, Suite No. 2 in b minor.
Folk Dances
Throughout the year, students will be exposed to different folk dances, many of which come from New England Dance Masters. This helps students with rhythm, musicality, as well as motor skills.
The Grading Process
Each grade (1-5) has three different standards for which they are given a grade of N/Y Not Yet, O Occasionally, F Frequently and C Consistently. These standards are
Grade 1
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Distinguishes between beat and rhythm, accurately recognizes and creates basic rhythm patterns
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 3 scale tones
Grade 2
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Accurately recognizes and creates basic rhythm patterns
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 5 scale tones.
Grade 3
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 8 scale tones.
Accurately plays on classroom instruments including recorder
Grade 4
Participates appropriately in music class and chorus activities
Accurately reads, performs and composes on classroom instruments and voice
Listens to and describes different kinds of music using basic music terminology
Grade 5
Participates appropriately in music class and chorus activities
Accurately reads, performs and composes on classroom instruments and voice
Listens to and describes different kinds of music using advanced music terminology
The Grading Process
Each grade (1-5) has three different standards for which they are given a grade of N/Y Not Yet, O Occasionally, F Frequently and C Consistently. These standards are
Grade 1
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Distinguishes between beat and rhythm, accurately recognizes and creates basic rhythm patterns
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 3 scale tones
Grade 2
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Accurately recognizes and creates basic rhythm patterns
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 5 scale tones.
Grade 3
Participates appropriately in music class activities
Accurately recognizes, sings and matches at least 8 scale tones.
Accurately plays on classroom instruments including recorder
Grade 4
Participates appropriately in music class and chorus activities
Accurately reads, performs and composes on classroom instruments and voice
Listens to and describes different kinds of music using basic music terminology
Grade 5
Participates appropriately in music class and chorus activities
Accurately reads, performs and composes on classroom instruments and voice
Listens to and describes different kinds of music using advanced music terminology