Music

Students in the first and second grades prepare for music literacy using Orff Schulwerk activities and the Conversational Solfege curriculum. Students learn to sing in the treble range and to use their speaking voices and body percussion to produce rhythm. Hand-held percussion instruments are used in drumming circles and other rhythm activities. Movement activities add interest to songs and engage students’ gross motor skills.  In addition to their twice weekly music classes, student meet for Primary Unit Chorus once a week.

We encourage the students to try out all activities, make mistakes, and think for themselves in a safe class environment. The goal is to foster confidence in thinking, speaking, and singing musically. This approach leads to greater ease when students begin to read music in Junior Unit Chorus.

The study of Philadelphia and our neighborhoods is often supported with trips to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts or to see an event at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, as well as with a tour of neighborhood performance venues.

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