1. Elementary Music
An Overview of the PCSD 5th Grade Music Curriculum

2. Objectives
EWBAT identify the overall value and mission of
elementary level music education
EWBAT relate the USOE 5th grade music core to
teaching strategies and examine its cross-curricular links

3. Rhythm Sticks – Building Focus
Ms. Gaspari’s 1st Grade Students in Mr. Webb’s music class

4. Values
Elementary Music Team Mission Statement
To give every PCSD student a myriad of varied and
meaningful opportunities to create, perform, and value
music in a safe, supportive environment, to give students a
means of healthy emotional expression, and to prepare
students for success in our secondary music programs.

5. Recorder Karate! – Building Musicianship
Ms. Clinton’s 4th Grade Students in Mr. Webb’s music class

6. Advocacy
Over 3,000 studies may be cited in support of music
education, its aims and its benefits. (Rachel Nardo, DMA, Univ. of Utah. 2010)
The benefits conveyed by music education can be
grouped in four categories: success in society, success in
school and learning, success in developing intelligence,
success in life. (MENC: National Association for Music Education website, 2010)

7. Instruction
PPES, JRES students receive 45 minutes of music instruction
per specialist rotation. This averages to 28 meetings * 45
minutes = 21 hours per year. (Kindergarten meets for 30 minutes on Fridays,
totaling about 16 hours of instruction throughout the year.)
TSES students meet for 45 minutes, once per week for 36
weeks averaging 32 hours per year.
MPES students receive 1 hour of music instruction every 6
days, totaling 23 hours per year.
All music specialists in PCSD are highly qualified to teach
K-12 Music.

8. 5th Grade Curriculum Highlights
STANDARDS STRATEGIES CORE LINKS
I. Develop the voice
and body as Utilize examples from All
instruments of “Spotlight on Music” text
musical expression
1. Sing in tune Cup rhythm game, ETM Math, fractions, addition
2. Use Body Movement song-experience
3. Discover how songs, activities, student-led PE, Dance, Visual Arts
singing games, and choreography, listening
dances relate to maps
various cultures in
the history of the Patriotic and U.S. folk SS
United States music programs

9. 5th Grade Curriculum Highlights
STANDARDS STRATEGIES CORE LINKS
II. Play instruments as a
means of musical
expression
1. Demonstrate sounds Orff Challenge, Ukulele SS, Science,
on classroom Madness, Djembe Technology, World
instruments and of drumming, keyboards Language
various cultures unit
2. Perform
independently or with Recorder Karate, SS, Math
others simple Recorder Express,
melodies and notational literacy
accompaniments on development
classroom
instruments World Music Night

10. Song-Experience Games – Building Teamwork
Thanks again to Ms. Gaspari’s first graders
The Button and the Key
Here We Are Together

11. 5th Grade Curriculum Highlights
STANDARDS STRATEGIES CORE LINKS
III. Create music through
improvising,
arranging, and
composing Composition Unit Language Arts,
1. Create original music Technology
and add expression
and texture to USOE Songbook, Health, Language Arts,
existing music “Spotlight Materials”, Library Media, SS,
2. Express ideas, poetry and other texts, Science
thoughts, and Jazz unit
emotions
aesthetically through
singing, playing and/
or creating
3. Use the staff system Dictation exercises, Math, Fine Arts, Literacy
to document “Secret Melody” Contest
arrangements and
compositions…

12. 5th Grade Curriculum Highlights
STANDARDS STRATEGIES CORE LINKS
IV. Listen to, analyze, Performances and Technology, Language
and describe music. “informances” for school Arts, Fine Arts, SS,
1. Recognize quality and for parents. Science
while creating music Materials core-based.
performances
2. Perceive and Observing other SS, Health, Community
respond to the performances from
messages in music students and
and the use of music professionals- in-class,
elements assemblies, etc.
Language Arts, Literacy,
Music Vocabulary Wall SIOP
Peter and the Wolf SS, Fine Arts
Composer of the Month SS, Technology

13. 5th Grade Compositions – Building Creativity
Students from Ms. Hopkin’s 5th Grade Class – Compositions were also notated

14. Impact
Is there now more time to cover the core? Is there
anything they are able to do now that they couldn’t do in
chorus?
No. 5th graders have one third of the instructional time in
music as last year.
Are students now more prepared for instrumental or
choral music in 6th grade?
Not necessarily. However, instruction has been geared
toward this type of preparation.