Graphic Overviews of the Skokie School Music Curriculum are available:
Grades 5-6 Music Curriculum Conceptual Overview
Grade 5 Music Curriculum Overview
Grade 6 Music Curriculum Overview
Music Learning Objectives

The fifth grade music curriculum focuses on student exploration, examination and expression of music. Students learn fundamental music skills that allow them to create and notate music of their own. Singing and listening to music are also integral components to student learning. Regular opportunities for student sharing allows for peer-directed, hands-on learning of musical instruments and guided group learning experiences stemming from musical elements found within the student’s shared selection.

Class activities include singing (using Kodaly solfege syllables and their corresponding hand signs), reading traditional music notation and creating word rhythms as a means of increased understanding of rhythmic structure and composition.

Throughout this six-week course, students develop their listening skills, strengthen their capacity to collaborate with fellow learners, and increase their ability to be a sincere, prepared performer and a supportive, engaged audience member.

After fifth grade students have completed six-weeks courses in music, dance, drama and computer literacy they provide input about their personal interests and are assigned to participate in one of these four disciplines where they participate daily for seven weeks in preparation for the Fifth Grade Extravaganza production.

The sixth grade music curriculum is designed for students to develop their understanding of music and its relationship to the people who create it and consume it. Through a study of a select number of popular music styles, beginning with Ragtime and progressing chronologically to current music, students gain a heightened understanding of the ways in which music is a reflection of the people and the world in which those people lived at a given time.

Class activities include investigating the progression of recorded music from early 78 records to current methods, writing original lyrics for a blues song and mastering how to play harmony chords on an electric keyboard when studying rock and roll harmony and ultimately applying that knowledge to playing chords for a chosen song while singing.

Throughout this 12-week course, students refine their critical listening skills, strengthen their capacity to collaborate with fellow learners, and increase their ability to be a sincere, prepared performer and a supportive, engaged audience member.