KG Music

Mrs. Sarah Bush Randolph, Music Instructor

Feel free to come visit our music classes and see all of the things our students are learning. (Please make an appointment before coming to make sure what day I will be teaching your child.)

Lockport District # 91
Kelvin Grove Music Students in Grades 4-8 Learn:

- to sing correctly using a variety of methods including Kodaly/Solfege (hand signs/singing) and Madisson Short sight- singing/rhythm

- Music Theory and basic computer skills (assisted by the “Music Maestro”, Sibelius 4, Musition3, and other networked computer programs which track each individual student)

- American Folk Music

- Music of Other Cultures (Multi-Cultural Music)

- Music History assisted by the “Classical Is Cool” material provided through Music Educators National Conference, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, and others); as well as “Classical Tunes and Tales” by Tod F. Kline

- Compose original musical compositions using “Sibelius” (music composition software)

- Use the Internet for music research and information for PowerPoint Presentations

- Use “Band-In-A-Box” Music software

- Learn to Play piano using the Bastien Older Beginner Method

- Advanced Piano Students Learn to play organ. Select organ students are taken to - the Magnificent Rialto Theatre in Joliet (our partners in education with the Joliet Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts) to play the Grand Barton Pipe Organ and hear a concert by one of JATOE’s organists.

- Learn to play Guitar (6th, 7th & 8^th grade)

- Bucket Drumming (Grades 4-8); Study "World Music Drumming" (7th & 8th grade)

- Learn basic computer skills

Advanced students will create, edit, and mix, videos, commercials, and music they have written/composed.

We work to meet and exceed State and National Learning Standards for music education:

The Illinois State Board of Education Music Standards

	IL State Goal 25: Know the language of the arts – music
	IL State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced
	IL State Goal 27: Understand the role of the arts in civilization, past and present

National Music Standards

Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
Reading and notating music
Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
Evaluating music and music performance
Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
Understanding music in relation to history and culture

MUSIC

To many, elementary music is simply singing songs, playing games and performing in musicals and programs. Quality music education, however, is much more. Both the Illinois and Federal governments recognize arts education as a basic subject area and have created standards that require a curriculum much more comprehensive than the weekly singing classes experienced by so many through the years. These standards not only include performing, but also musical composition, improvisation, analysis and listening. Although performance has always been an important part of the music curriculum, other areas have often been ignored causing some children who were not gifted performers to be left out.

Recent advances in technology have opened many doors in music education. The latest computer software has made the teaching of music literacy a reality at even the youngest levels. Because the use of such programs can be individually modified, both gifted and special education students can work side-by- side progressing at their own rate! When both technology and performance are incorporated into the music curriculum, the comprehensive vision by the Illinois Department of Education, the National Standards, and the Music Educators National Conference can be realized.

Benefits of Music Education & Brain Research -
While many recognize the social benefits of music, we are also aware of the cultural and academic benefits that result from the study of music. In fact, many research studies have shown a correlation between music study and academic achievement.
(Brain Research)

· Right hemisphere of brain activated when listening to music with a variety of pitch & timbre; when playing by ear

· Left hemisphere activated when reading music, understanding key signatures, notation, and details of scores - same area of brain activated in analytical and mathematical thinking

· Limbic system of brain: seat of emotions, certain memory, glandular control; this area can literally facilitate or inhibit learning and higher order thinking. Positive emotions (love, tenderness, humor) can facilitate higher order thinking skills. Negative emotions (anger, hostility, fear) downshift brain to basic survival thinking. (from Dr. Paul MacLean—Nat’l Institute of Mental Health)

From: “Music and the Mind” by Dee Dickinson

http://www.mwnc.org/publication/articles/academic/dickins.htm

Music & Academic Achievement

· Study of 14 yr. old science students in 17 countries –top 3 countries: Hungary, the Netherlands, Japan. ALL 3 include music throughout curriculum from kindergarten through high school

· Foremost technical designers & engineers in Silicon Valley are almost all practicing musicians

· Schools who produced the highest academic achievement in the United States today are spending 20-30% of the day on the arts, with special emphasis on music

· St. Augustine Bronx elementary school, failing in 1984, implemented an intensive music program. Today 90% of the students are reading at or above grade level.