Central Bucks School District Elementary Music Curriculum

Music

The elementary music curriculum is based on the Kodaly system of music learning. Musical material is presented in a strict sequence that follows the child’s natural abilities at various stages of growth. The concepts of rhythm, melody, harmony and form are developed sequentially. Continuous refinement of skills through singing and playing of instruments is the essential goal of the elementary music program. General Music in grades one through six is taught by certified music specialists

Kindergarten	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6

	Kindergarten § Match tones. § Keep a steady beat. § Distinguish between high and low. § Distinguish between loud and soft. § Distinguish between fast and slow. § Experience creative movement through action songs and singing games. § Enjoyment and love of music through singing and playing instruments.
	Grade 1 § Encourage enjoyment and love of music through singing and playing instruments. § Perform steady beat and simple rhythms consisting of quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests. § Recognize repetition and contrast in music. § Experience musical concepts by playing instruments and song games. § Perform a repertoire of American Folk songs. § Perform simple ostinatos.
	Grade 2 § Recognize and sing melodic patterns using the pentatonic scale: do, re, mi, so, la. § Perform rhythms that include half notes, half rests, whole notes and whole rests. § Recognize separated eighth notes and the eighth rest. § Perform rhythmic and melodic ostinato patterns. § Awareness of bar line and meter (duple/quadruple). § Experience musical concepts through signing, playing instruments and song games. § Recognition of two- and three-part form (AB/ABA).
	Grade 3 § Recognize and sing melodic patterns. § Perform rhythms that include dotted half note and sixteenth notes. § Awareness of treble clef and letter names of notes in the treble staff. § Perform canon clapping, echo singing and singing in rounds. § Experience musical concepts through song games and playing of instruments. § Awareness of triple meter. § Introduction of music software. § Perform advanced rhythmic ostinatos.
	Grade 4 § Learn about instruments of the orchestra. § Recognize and sing major scale. § Awareness of dotted quarter note. § Perform rhythms that include dotted rhythms and syncopated patterns. § Identify terms and symbols for dynamics and form. § Awareness of Time Signature. § Perform more advanced melodic ostinatos.
	Grade 5 § Learn about European composers. § Recognize and accompany songs using I and V chords. § Awareness of C, F and G scales. § Awareness of accidentals (sharp, flat and natural signs). § Learn about American folk music styles. § Perform rhythms that include dotted eighth note. § Perform more advanced melodic and rhythmic ostinatos.
	Grade 6 § Recognize and identify all basic terms, signs and symbols learned in grades 1 thru 5. § Awareness of vocal ranges. § Learn about opera. § Learn about American composers. § Learn about popular music styles. § Demonstrate improvisational skills.

CBSD Music Website

Central Bucks School District
20 Welden Drive Doylestown, PA 18901
(267) 893-2000 Contact Us.