Course Description

Explore and build foundational musical skills with Music 4 ED. This course offers a variety of learning activities that include singing, dancing, body percussion, and authentic sound recordings. The course is organized into six units: Introduction to Music Fundamentals, Musical Creativity and Expression, Developing Performance Skills, Analyzing and Interpreting Musical Works, Evaluating Performances and Making Connections, and Culminating Projects and Review. Students learn about and explore these musical elements: beat, music notes and duration, meter, rhythm, pattern, pitch, solfege, tonality, chords, form, music styles, movement, articulation, dynamics, tempo, vocals, types of sounds, instrument families, classical composers, dance, performance, preference, and how music relates to other areas of learning. They read eBooks related to music concepts.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Music Fundamentals

• Understanding the Elements of Music
• Exploring Rhythm and Beat
• Discovering Melody and Harmony
• Exploring Dynamics and Tempo
• Introduction to Musical Form
• Unit Checkpoint: Introduction to Music Fundamentals

Unit 2: Musical Creativity and Expression

• Introduction to Musical Improvisation
• Exploring Composition Techniques
• Arranging Musical Ideas
• Connecting Music to Social and Cultural Contexts
• Presenting Personal Creative Work
• Unit Checkpoint: Musical Creativity and Expression

Unit 3: Developing Performance Skills

• Basic Techniques for Instrumental Performance
• Vocal Techniques and Expression
• Ensemble Playing and Collaboration
• Using Notation and Recording Technology
• Rehearsing and Refining Performances
• Unit Checkpoint: Developing Performance Skills

Unit 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Musical Works

• Understanding Musical Structure and Form
• Analyzing Elements of Music
• Exploring Contextual Factors in Performance
• Developing Personal Interpretations
• Connecting Interpretations to Expressive Intent
• Unit Checkpoint: Analyzing and Interpreting Musical Works

Unit 5: Evaluating Performances and Making Connections

• Applying Criteria for Performance Evaluation
• Reflecting on Personal and Ensemble Performances
• Connecting Music to Other Arts and Disciplines
• Exploring Music in Different Contexts and Cultures
• Making Meaningful Connections to Daily Life
• Unit Checkpoint: Evaluating Performances and Making Connections

Unit 6: Culminating Projects and Review

• Finalizing Creative Projects
• Presenting Creative Work to Others
• Reviewing Key Concepts and Skills
• Reflecting on Learning Experiences
• Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead
• Unit Checkpoint: Culminating Projects and Review