Curriculum

Curriculum Standards

These standards are taken from the New Hampshire Curriculum Framework for the Arts.

End of Grade 4:

Curriculum Standard 1: Sing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

Students will be able to:

a. sing independently, on pitch and in rhythm, with appropriate timbre, diction, and posture, and maintain a steady beat;

b. sing expressively, with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation;

c. sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures;

d. sing ostinatos, partner songs, and rounds;

e. sing in groups, blending vocal timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor.

Curriculum Standard 2: Perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

Students will be able to:

a. perform on pitch, in rhythm, with appropriate dynamics and timbre, and maintain a steady tempo;

      b. perform easy rhythmic, melodic, and chordal patterns accurately and independently on rhythmic, melodic, and

          harmonic classroom instruments;

      c. perform expressively a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and styles;

      d. echo short rhythms and melodic patterns

       e. perform in groups, blending instrumental timbres, matching dynamic levels, and responding to the cues of a conductor;

       f. perform independent instrumental parts while other students sing or play contrasting parts.

Curriculum Standard 3: Improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

        Students will be able to:

        a. improvise "answers" in the same style to given rhythmic and melodic phrases;

        b. improvise simple rhythmic and melodic ostinato accompaniments;

        c. improvise simple rhythmic variations and simple melodic embellishments on familiar melodies;

        d. improvise short songs and instrumental pieces using a variety of sound sources, including traditional and non traditional sounds,

            body sounds, and sounds produced by electronic means.

Curriculum Standard 4: Compose and arrange music within specific guidelines.

      Students will be able to:

        a. create and arrange music to accompany readings or dramatizations;

        b. create and arrange short songs and instrumental pieces within specified guidelines;

        c. use a variety of sound sources when composing.

Curriculum Standard 5: Read and notate music.

        Students will be able to:

        a. read whole, half, dotted half, quarter, and eighth notes and rests in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 meter signatures;

        b. use a system (that is, syllables, numbers, or letters) to read simple pitch notation in the treble clef in major keys;

        c. identify symbols and traditional terms referring to dynamics, tempo, and articulation and interpret them correctly when performing;

        d. use standard symbols to notate meter, rhythm, pitch, and dynamics in simple patterns presented by the teacher;

Curriculum Standard 6: Listen to, analyze, and describe music.

        Students will be able to:

        a. identify simple music forms when presented aurally;

        b. demonstrate perceptual skills by moving to, inquiring about, and describing aural examples of music from various styles representing diverse cultures;

        c. use appropriate terminology in explaining music, music notation, music instruments, and voices, and music performances;

        d. identify the sounds of different instruments from various cultures, as well as children's voices and male and female adult voices;

        e. respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent features in a piece of music.

Curriculum Standard 7: Evaluate music and music performances.

       Students will be able to:

        a. devise criteria for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of music performances;

        b. explain, using appropriate music terminology, personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.

Curriculum Standard 8: Understand relationships among music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

      Students will be able to:

        a. identify similarities and differences in the meanings of common terms used in the various arts;

        b. identify ways in which the principles and subject matter of other disciplines are related to those of music.

Curriculum Standard 9: Understand music in relation to history and culture.

      Students will be able to:

        a. identify by genre or style aural examples of music from various historical periods and cultures;

        b. describe in simple terms how elements of music are used in various world cultures;

        c. identify many uses of music in their daily experiences and describe characteristics that make certain music suitable for each use;

        d. identify and describe the roles of musicians in music settings and cultures;

        e. demonstrate audience behavior appropriate for the context and style of music performed;

        f. describe the way music has been a continuous part of the history of human culture.

Curriculum Standard 10: Identify the range of careers in the field of music.

       Students will be able to:

        a. identify occupations in which people sing or play musical instruments;

         b. identify local resources where people can take part in singing;

        c. identify professions where skills of arranging and composing music are used;

        d. recognize that people evaluate music and music performances.