Music Progress Report
Sandra Soracco Music Specialist
First Grade: The first grade students have continued to work with previously introduced musical terms such as the chorus, refrain, and repeat sign. In addition, the children have been introduced to musical notation through the Kodály Method using various musical rhythm instruments. The students are now able to recognize whole note, quarter note, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and quarter rest. Furthermore, the students are now able to construct their own rhythm patterns using rhythm instruments. Finally, the students have been introduced to the concept of chorus.
The students began the third term being introduced to the music they would be singing at the spring concert. Some musical selections of the concert included rhythm instruments and chorus, allowing the students to apply concepts they had been previously introduced to in music class. The students worked very hard to memorize the music they would be singing and were excited to present their hard work to their parents.
Second Grade: The second grade students have mastered the concept of basic musical terminology and are now able to recognize multiple verse, refrain, repeat sign, and chorus. Furthermore, the students are able use this knowledge during singing as well as with rhythm instruments. The students have continued their study of multiple verse, culminating in the students singing songs in multiple verse. During the third term, the students have been introduced to playing instruments with a broader sense of rhythm patterns. The students are now able to perform using whole note, quarter note, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and quarter rest.
The students began the third term being introduced to the music they would be singing at the spring concert. Some musical selections of the concert included rhythm instruments and multiple verse, allowing the students to apply concepts they had been previously introduced to in music class. The students worked very hard to memorize the music they would be singing and were excited to present their hard work to their parents.
Third Grade: The third grade students began the third term introduced to the four musical families. Through the use of technology, the students were able to see examples of each family as well as watch and listen to performances of each instrument. In addition, the students made musical instruments at home and brought their creation into class to display.
The students were introduced to various musical genres such as Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Swing, and Classical music. Through the use of technology, the students were able to watch example performances from each genre. Finally, the students sang songs that are examples of the genres.
Fourth Grade: The fourth grade students broadened their understanding of musical concepts. The students are now able to understand the Staff and add notes to create meaningful melodies on the whiteboard. The students were introduced to the Bar Lines, Time Signature, Treble Clef, and Octave. Students composed their own melodies using Scale and Treble Clef notes and are now aware of how music is similar to mathematical concepts.
The fourth grade students began learning the history of the genres previously introduced in the third grade. In addition, the students continued to sing songs from these genres.