General Music K-5; 6th Grade Choir; 7/8 Grade Mixed Choir
At Richmond School, all K-5 students are enrolled in General and Choral Music. Classes meet twice a week, once by class and once as a large ensemble. In music, students learn how to be musicians individually and as an ensemble. Students explore instrumental and vocal music from cultures all around the world through singing, listening activities, and playing melodic and un-pitched classroom instruments. At Richmond, we understand that Arts Education encourages the development of well-rounded students.
The following are selected points that highlight the importance of Arts Education and are taken from the State Superintendent’s Guiding Principles from “A Report on Arts Education in Wisconsin: The State Superintendent's Blue Ribbon Commission on Arts Education” (2000):
- The arts are central to the development of a well-educated person and the core of all learning – connecting and enhancing whole brain development.
- The arts are intellectually challenging and contribute directly to the cognitive, physical, and emotional development of all students.
- Higher order thinking skills – analysis, synthesis, evaluation, critical judgment, and imaginative and creative thinking – are developed in the arts.
- The arts provide opportunities for success in the creative fields of all of the arts, as well as arts related fields of study.
In addition, music courses use many of the 21st century skills and technology skills found throughout the school. Finally, our choir students have the opportunity to participate in the Arrowhead Area Vocal Music Consortium, which is comprised of students from Richmond, Stone Bank, North Lake, Swallow, and Lake Country.
Students meet once a year in the spring with other students from consortium schools and an expert choral clinician for a workday and big performance.
21st Century Skills Addressed
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Creativity
- Teamwork, Collaboration, and Leadership
- Cross-Cultural Understanding
- Communication
- Career and Life-Skills
Technology Used
- Interactive Smart Board Curriculum and Activities
- Digital Recordings of Rehearsals and Concerts
- Google Classroom for Digital Portfolios (Grades 6-8)
- Google Docs for On-line Collaboration (Grades 2-8)
Assessed On
- Preparation for Classes and Rehearsals
- Application of Music Skills in Each Lesson
- Participation in Concerts and Rehearsals
- Playing/Singing Assessments/Written Assessments and Evaluations
State Standards Addressed
- Standard 1 - CREATE: Students will generate, develop, and refine artistic work.
- Standards 2 and 3- PERFORM and RESPOND: Students will analyze, develop, and convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Students will critically interpret intent and meaning in order to evaluate artistic work, along with their personal performance and contribution to the ensemble.
- Standard 4 - CONNECT: Students will relate prior knowledge and personal experience with music to cultural and historical context.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
- Pentatonix Select (Grades 7-8)
- Solo and Ensemble Music Festival (Grades 5-8)
- Musical (Grades 6-8)
The Richmond School District’s academic standards have been developed over the course of the years blending the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards, Essential Elements (alternate standards for students with severe disabilities), and Next Generation Science Standards.
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