Music Standards
WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY BENCHMARKS FOR MUSIC:
Kindergarten:
Pre-First:
Grade One:
Grade Two:
Grade Three:
different time periods and cultures.
Grade Four:
variety of different time periods and cultures.
Grade Five:
as those from a variety of different time periods and cultures.
Grade Five Chorus:
Kindergarten:
- Respond to a given beat through the use of movement and rhythm instruments.
- Begin to develop a proper singing (head) voice.
- Distinguish differences in tempo, dynamic and pitch.
- Develop creativity through movement, instruments, and voice
Pre-First:
- Demonstrate steady beat through the use of movement and instruments.
- Begin to develop a proper singing (head) voice.
- Respond expressively to changes in dynamics and pitch.
- Build foundations for improvisation and creative music-making.
Grade One:
- Demonstrate steady beat through the use of movement and instruments.
- Identify and perform simple rhythmic patterns containing quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes and quarter notes.
- Develop aural and vocal skills.
- Apply knowledge of musical concepts through creative movement, playing instruments and singing.
- Build foundations for improvisation and creative music-making.
- Demonstrate an understanding of musical form.
Grade Two:
- Identify and perform rhythmic patterns containing quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, and quarter rests.
- Apply knowledge of musical concepts through creative movement, playing instruments and singing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of musical form.
- Improvise melodies and rhythmic patterns.
- Develop ensemble and performance skills.
Grade Three:
- Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.
- Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies.
- Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe instruments of the orchestra, as well as those from of variety of
different time periods and cultures.
- Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.
- Explore how history, culture, and personal experiences play a role in a composer's creative process.
Grade Four:
- Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.
- Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies through the use of the recorder.
- Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.
- Develop ensemble performance skills by making appropriate musical choices through collaboration with peers.
- Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe the instruments of the Orchestra, as well as those from a
variety of different time periods and cultures.
Grade Five:
- Develop individual and ensemble singing skills.
- Use knowledge of music notation to read, compose, and perform simple melodies.
- Demonstrate understanding of musical concepts through improvisation and composition.
- Explore how history, culture, and personal experience play a role in a composer's creative process.
- Understand how harmony provides structure, depth, and expression in Music.
- Understand the relationship between music, the Arts and disciplines outside the Arts.
- Understand music in relation to history and culture.
- Use appropriate terminology to identify and describe the instruments of the orchestra, as well
as those from a variety of different time periods and cultures.
Grade Five Chorus:
- Perform music of various styles, genres, cultures, and historical periods in a variety of languages.
- Demonstrate proper vocal techniques including breathing, intonation, diction and phrasing.
- Develop ensemble performance skills.
- Understand how musical concepts are used to create expressive performances.
- Demonstrate proper performance and audience etiquette.