The Core Knowledge Curriculum includes three categories of music learning: 1) Elements of Music (specific outcomes vary by grade level) Movement and Dance Recognizing, reading, writing and performing various elements of music (rhythm, melody/pitch, harmony, form, timbre) and expressive qualities (tempo, dynamics, articulation) 2) Listening and Understanding Units 5th Grade American Spirituals L. van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 M. Mussorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition F. Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Music from the Renaissance Era 4th Grade Vocal Ranges G.F. Handel, “Hallelujah Chorus” W.A. Mozart, The Magic Flute F.J. Haydn, Symphony No. 94 “Surprise” Gregorian Chant and the Medieval Era 3rd Grade Brass Instruments Woodwind Instruments P. Tchaikovsky, Suite from Swan Lake J.P. Sousa, Stars and Stripes Forever A. Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man; “Hoedown”; “Simple Gifts” N. Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade 2nd Grade String Instruments Percussion Instruments Keyboard Instruments Vivaldi, The Four Seasons J.S. Bach, Minuet in G major; Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring; Toccata and Fugue in d min. L. van Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 1st Grade Composers: W.A. Mozart Orchestras and Conductors Opera: Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Instrumental Music: P. Dukas, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Ballet: P. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite Jazz: Louis Armstrong Kindergarten Recognize by sight and sound: guitar, piano, trumpet, flute, violin, drum. E. Grieg, “Morning” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt V. Herbert, “March of the Toys” R. Rodgers, “March of the Siamese Children” from “The King and I” Camille Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals 3) Songs Each grade level will learn to sing about 15 songs, most of which draw connections to topics in other subject areas and reinforce the learning of the elements of music. Other resources and materials used: An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy; Teaching handbook using the Kodaly concept. Kodaly methods support Classical Education and provide necessary support to the Core Knowledge Sequence goals. http://www.oake.org/aboutus/kodalyphilosophy.aspx Denise Gagne's Rhythm Flashcards, Complete Recorder Resource Kit, and Action Songs Children Love; common elementary music resources that support the Core Knowledge Sequence goals.Boomwackers; an inexpensive and age-appropriate instrument with which students can perform simple melodies and harmonies while learning the elements of music.
http://boomwhackers.com/ Accessory Percussion Instruments; students use rhythm sticks, hand drums, shakers, triangles, finger cymbals, wood blocks, claves, sandpaper blocks, and guiros to perform simple rhythmic accompaniment or echoed patterns of rhythm. Recorders; Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 learn to play recorder in order to reinforce their understanding of musical notation and pitch as well as small motor and breath control skills. It also ties in to the study of Woodwind instruments in 3rd grade, G.F. Handel and his “Hallelujah Chorus” in 4th grade and Music from the Renaissance Era in 5th grade.
Guitars; Students in grades 5 and 6 learn to play guitars in order to reinforce their understanding of melody, harmony, song form and chord progressions. PowerPoint; I have created PowerPoint presentations in order to organize and present the curriculum. Large portions of these presentations are available on grade level web pages. You Tube; educational videos to extend or reinforce the Core Knowledge Curriculum topics and to share and evaluate videotaped performances. Audio/Visual Equipment; my desktop computer, digital piano, and microphones are connected to a mixer and speaker system, allowing both students and teacher to fully appreciate listening to performances of great works as well as hear their own speaking and singing voices. |