Music St. John
I love God, my family, my horses, the beach, creative writing, art and being able to serve the Lord
through teaching Music. I am a teacher, a missionary, a caregiver, and a survivor. I believe “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.” I know when we listen carefully He will show us the way to
make this world a better place and I know my place is one song at a time!
PreK: Students have the opportunity to understand the importance of music in their lives and that it is
fun! They learn to keep a beat and are exposed to basic rhythms and pitch. They study elements of
music thru Nursery Rhymes, hand/musical eye coordination activities, listening to music, reading books
that are music related, singing, dancing, and playing musical games. There is an intro to the musical
alphabet, and rhythm instruments. Making Music Big Book is used as well as the Alphabet Song Book.
Kindergarten: Students continue the development of musical skills. They study basic music rhythms,
learn the difference in a line and space note, high/low on the staff and how to keep a steady beat. Hand
eye coordination activities are used as well as continued development of listening skills.
Students may do handbells, Lummi sticks, rhythm instruments, and drums to continue development of
rhythm and pitch concepts. Basic dance steps are also used to reinforce co-ordination and a steady
pulse.
They have fun learning childhood songs/alphabet songs. They learn to create a unison tone and sing
before an audience. Making Music Big Book I is used.
Students may also have other fun musical activities they can bring home and share with family
members.
First Grade: First grade uses the Making Music Big Book II designed for their age group. Students can
identify the elements of pitch and rhythm and relate this to a musical score. Glockenspiels and the voice
are used for interval training. Lummi sticks are utilized to keep a steady beat. Students use handbells as
a tool to read musical notation c1-c2. Solfegio and corresponding hand signs are used to reinforce these
musical concepts. The concept of Major and minor is also introduced.
Students meet little Mozart thru the Little Amadeus series. Thru this series they will have the
opportunity to meet Mozart’s family, listen to his works, and do corresponding worksheets.
Students are introduced to My First Hymnal. This video gives students an introduction to singing songs
like “This Little Light of Mine”. We segue from this video into singing out of Mass books. Students have
the opportunity to see how music flows one line to the next. They start by learning the choruses to
songs being sung at Mass.
Students may also have the opportunity to create a musical instrument and other fun musical activities
they can bring home and share with family members.
Second Grade: Students can identify basic note rhythms and their value in 4 time. We will use Making
Music big book, sing, listen, work in centers, handbells, glockenspiels, Lummi sticks, musical games, and
move in rhythm.
Students will continue to study Mozart with the aid of the Little Amadeus series. They will also have the
opportunity to do The Magic Flute computer program to reinforce their study of Mozart’s music.
We will also read Caldecott books that reinforce the steady beat and tempo found in a song. This
reinforces musical skills and the 2nd grade task of reading Caldecott books. They will also add music to a
book selection using rhythm instruments.
Students may also have the opportunity to create a musical instrument and other fun musical activities
they can bring home and share with family members.
Third Grade: Students will use the Making Music books to review skills they have learned since
kindergarten. There will be an emphasis on songs from around the world with music. This coordinates
with the regular 3rd grade class curriculum. Students should know basic notes and rhythms. They can
clap, say, sing rhythm patterns and recognize them and relate to pitch in a song.
Students will create a musical commercial using a song and script to sell a product they create. This
supports their writing, aural and performing skills.
Students will also have the opportunity to study composers. They will choose one composer to focus
on. In this activity they will discover important details of his life and music, listen to selections he
composed and create a composer cartoon strip with important facts. Students may also have other fun
musical activities they can bring home and share with family members.
Fourth Grade: Students use Making Music textbooks. There is an emphasis on musical terminology.
Students will continue to develop their singing, listening, and hand eye coordination skills. They should
be able to recognize all solfegio with hand signs, study instruments of the orchestra, and sing for
Stations of the Cross.
Students should understand time signatures, tempos, and basic musical terminology. Emphasis will be
placed on listening to different styles of music. They will have the opportunity to study music history
and make a composer book. Students will also participate in a composer scavenger hunt. They may also
have the opportunity to do fun musical activities they can bring home and share with family members.
Fifth Grade: Students will continue to study and review last year’s musical terminology in the Making
Music books and have a musical spelling bee on terms. They will sing and listen to music of various
styles.
Students will be able to sing and play a recorder independently and with a group. They will attain the
skills to write an end of year song with notes and words.
This year students expand knowledge of the bass clef, especially in singing, to help boys with changing
voice into a smooth vocal transition. Students will study music history making a composer book and
having an advanced composer scavenger hunt. Students may also have the opportunity to do fun
musical activities they can bring home and share with family members.
Sixth Grade: Sixth Graders play recorders at an advanced level using notes c1 to g3. They play in unison
and in harmony. They learn to play alone and in groups. Students will continue to learn music theory
and also a practical application for that work. They will learn about composers as we learn to play their
compositions. There will be a recorder concert for parents.
In the spring students will utilize recorder skills in sight reading vocally. There will also be time for mass
music, composition, and fun songs. Making Music series will be used.
Seventh and Eighth Graders: There is a series of Making Music books used for both graders. These two
years prepare them for high school level classes. There will be an advanced level of music theory and
sight singing. Students will review Theory through Sight Reading Solfa Dojo. Students may discuss our
American musical heritage, musical technology, recording industry, and music careers.
Students will discuss major themes in music and will have the opportunity to study song lyrics and see
how they support a theme. They may do a Music History/Mass Music/or Music of My Life PowerPoint
presentation.
Mass music is worked on. These older students are encouraged to take an active leadership role in mass
singing and set a positive example for the younger children.
In January the puppets will arrive. Students, at this level, write a script on a gospel value, select a
supporting song, and create supporting puppet choreography. They will perform for elementary age
children during Catholic Schools Week. This gives them an opportunity to share their selected gospel
value and the music supporting it.
A special wrap up of music history will be provided for these two grades.