First Grade

Through a large variety of repertoire, including folk songs and dances, students are learning patterns in music and how to use their singing voice. Songs, chants, plays and instruments are a part of each class.

The 1st graders are working on singing and listening skills. We have been working on the solfege pitches sol and mi, high and low. Students are able to put notes on a 2-line staff. This will eventually lead to the 5 line treble staff.

Rhythmically, the first graders are reading patterns that include eighth and quarter notes, with occasional quarter rests. They practice rhythms with clapping, sticks, songs and motions.

First grade is an active age and music is so fun because of that. We have many lively classes of circle songs and games, books that we add sound effect instruments to, and listening and identifying various instrument sounds, like triangle, tambourine, and woodblock. Students also practice retelling stories with puppets and songs.

Studies have shown that a child’s brain strongly develops spatial reasoning, math, reading and language when they experience music at a young age. Some things you can do to support their musical growth are go to a concert, musical or play. Sing with your child in your daily life. Play music at home and talk about what you hear. Put on some fun kids tunes and let them dance around. Enjoy music together!

I look forward to many musical moments with your child. Mrs. Ropp

Syllabus for Music 1st Quarter:

• Learn expectations and routines for the music room
• Identify unpitched percussion instruments
• Identify up, down, same as melody examples are played
• Use a singing voice in solo and group singing games
• Rhythmic chants and rhymes
• Read rhythms that use quarter and eighth notes
• Practice steady beat in songs, movement and games
• Increase literacy through stories, adding instruments and song
• Identify high and low, show on body and on instruments
• Discover many ways to move to music