Grade 1 – Term 1:

During the first term, students will begin their first year of a new play-based music program called “Musicplay”. This program is based on the Kodaly and Orff methods, and contains many different styles of songs – action songs, singalong songs, folk songs, multicultural songs, game songs and holiday songs, which will really motivate and excite the students in their learning. These songs will help develop in-tune singing, performance of the beat, and the learning of many new skills. Students will also be preparing for our Christmas musical by singing various songs of greater difficulty. It is expected that the students will be able to:

• sing short melodies;
• respond to the beat in music;
• use hand signs to describe melodic direction;
• identify differences in tempo, dynamics, articulation, and timbre in classroom repertoire;
• participate in a variety of classroom songs and singing games;
• actively engage in activities related to music from a variety of different contexts;
• demonstrate a willingness to share their responses to musical experiences;
• demonstrate appropriate performance skills; and
• demonstrate respect for the contributions of others.

Grade 1 – Term 2:

During the second term, the students will work on developing their dramatic and vocal skills in our Christmas Program. They will resume their new “Musicplay” curriculum, using songs and games to enhance their musical learning. This term, students will also be encouraged to learn and perform solfa hand signs, create sound effects, and differentiate between high/low, fast/slow, and loud/soft. In the month of January, students will participate in Music from Around the World, and use rhythm instruments to keep the beat. They will create movement songs and begin learning Animal and Spring songs by March.

It is expected that the students will be able to:

• sing short melodies;
• respond to the beat in music;
• use hand signs to describe melodic direction;
• identify differences in tempo, dynamics, articulation, and timbre in classroom repertoire;
• participate in a variety of classroom songs and singing games;
• actively engage in activities related to music from a variety of different contexts;
• demonstrate a willingness to share their responses to musical experiences;
• demonstrate appropriate performance skills; and
• demonstrate respect for the contributions of others.

Grade 1 – Term 3

During the final term, students will continue to develop singing and musical skills through our “Musicplay” curriculum. They will perform rhythmic patterns using rhythm instruments, and continue to develop their abilities to differentiate between high/low, fast/slow, and loud/soft in the music, using movement and solfa hand signs. This term will see the students reading simple rhythms, practicing expression in their music, and creating movement in songs. Themes this term will include Animals and Leprechauns, Spring, Easter, Down on the Farm, French and Spanish music, and Summer Fun.

It is expected that the students will be able to:

• sing short melodies;
• respond to the beat in music;
• use hand signs to describe melodic direction;
• identify differences in tempo, dynamics, articulation, and timbre in classroom repertoire;
• participate in a variety of classroom songs and singing games;
• actively engage in activities related to music from a variety of different contexts;
• demonstrate a willingness to share their responses to musical experiences;
• perform rhythmic patterns from classroom repertoire using rhythm instruments; and
• demonstrate respect for the contributions of others.