Music

First grade music students participate in hands-on activities like singing, moving, playing instruments, and being creative. They begin to develop a better understanding of key musical elements such as rhythm (with quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests), pitch (with sol, mi, and la), dynamics (loud and soft sounds), and tempo (speed). They also learn about song structure, which is known as form. Movement is still a big part of music time, with scarves, beanbags, parachutes, stretchy bands, and other fun props to help them feel the beat and rhythm. Students play all kinds of instruments including drums, xylophones, Boomwhackers, and small percussion instruments, learning how to play together and also on their own. They also learn about different cultures by exploring music from around the world. Throughout the year, students get to perform in events like the ‘Titles and Tunes’ Book Concert and Awards Day. They also show off their dancing at ‘Makers and Movers’ night with classmates, family, and friends. By the end of first grade, students feel more confident, expressive, and connected through music, and most of all, they have a great time growing as young musicians.

Second graders continue growing as young musicians by jumping into all kinds of fun music activities like singing, playing music games, moving, and playing instruments. They start to understand more challenging rhythms, such as half notes and sixteenth notes, and learn melodic patterns like do, re, mi, sol, and la. Through movement games with props like scarves, ribbon wands, parachutes, and stretchy bands, they build coordination and confidence. Playing instruments such as xylophones, drums, Boomwhackers, and other percussion helps them strengthen their musical and rhythmic skills. Working in small groups or ensembles teaches them how to keep a steady beat, play rhythms together, and be great teammates. Music ties into other subjects too. Reading lyrics and stories helps with literacy, rhythm games support math skills, and all the moving around helps with physical development. Students also explore music from around the world, which helps build cultural awareness. Throughout the year, they take part in fun performances like the ‘Titles and Tunes’ Book Concert and Awards Day. They even get to lead dances with their families at ‘Makers and Movers’ Night, showing off their creativity and leadership.

Third graders grow as musicians by singing, moving, playing instruments, and creating their own music. They learn new rhythms like dotted notes, eighths, and sixteenth notes. Their vocal and playing skills develop as they reach higher and lower notes. They explore song forms like rondo, and theme and variation. Movement becomes more structured through folk dances and choreography, helping them with coordination and matching the music’s feel. They build skills on instruments like xylophones, ukulele, and drums and often work in an ensemble and small group to create rhythms and layered sounds. Music connects to reading (through lyrics), math (by counting beats), and social studies (by learning about music from different cultures). Throughout the year, they perform Awards Day and ‘Movers and Makers’ Night. By year’s end, they are more confident, independent, and ready for more advanced music challenges.

In fourth grade students take their music skills to the next level by singing more advanced melodies, playing more instruments, and learning how to listen and move with the music. They improve their rhythm skills by reading and playing more challenging patterns. Their singing range grows, and they learn to recognize and sing notes in both major and minor keys. They also explore fun music forms like ABA, rondo, and theme and variation, while practicing how to listen for things like tempo, volume, and layers of sound. They learn to play wooden spoons in the spring and present these skills through musical performances at Awards Day. Fourth graders can choose to join the 4th and 5th grade choir and sing at events like Veterans Day, holiday concerts, and the spring choir concert. All of these activities help them grow as confident and creative musicians, ready for more music ahead.

In fifth grade, students participate in activities like singing, playing instruments, writing their own music, moving to the beat, and actively listening to what they hear. They get better at tricky rhythms, including syncopation and mixed meters. They also get to play in small groups, learning how to hold their own part in rounds, group pieces with xylophones, drums, and other percussion instruments. In the spring, fifth graders start learning how to play the recorder. When learning recorder, they practice reading music through folk songs and work their way up to playing full melodies that get a little more challenging as they go. Music connects to other subjects too, as students explore song lyrics, learn about music from different cultures, and do rhythm activities that tie into math and movement. They can also choose to join the 4th and 5th grade choir, which performs at events throughout the year like the Veterans Day program, holiday shows, and the spring choir concert. All of these experiences help students grow as independent musicians, build teamwork skills, and feel more confident performing, giving them a strong foundation for music in middle school and beyond.