MUSIC                                                              

     Beginning musical education in the Preschool and PreK classes, is the initial focus on learning to maintain a steady beat, recognize different note values, echo rhythms, distinguish between different instrument parts of a song and wait in turn to play.

     PreK and Kindergarten classes also work on the cooperation needed for structured dances. The 1/2 students begin to distinguish and echo one rhythm while another (beat) is played simultaneously. They also create their own rhythmic note patterns.

     In the 3/4 grade, students read and identify rhythm patterns by ear and are able to easily play different rhythms to a beat. At this stage I also encourage a variety of improvisation: vocal, instrumental and movement. Pitch recognition is also emphasized, leading to the notation of limited melodic patterns.

     The 5/6 graders are working with recorders. They learn not only to read standard music notation, but to compose and notate their own melodies. For set songs, the performances of instrumental parts are more intricate with increasingly layered rhythms. All the classes will explore sound vibrations, resulting in some new varieties of homemade instruments.