How to Plan a Music Curriculum

 How to Plan a Music Curriculum

This, at best, is daunting.  

At worst, well, let's not go there.  

Considering a year's curriculum requires loads of planning.  But music teachers like us aren't simply responsible for 1 year's worth of curriculum.  We have to plan the whole scope and sequence over multiple years.  

What a 3 year old needs developmentally compared to the skills an incoming freshman needs to possess are vastly different! 

Here's what I deeply wish I had known when I first
started teaching and the resources I wish I had begun using years ago.

Use the Standards

The National Core Arts Standards are a great guide because they're so widely accepted & used.  When simplified, they're as follows:

1. Create; Imagine, Create,  Refine, Present
2. Perform; Select, Analyze, Rehearse, Present
3. Respond; Select, Analyze, Interpret, Evaluate
4. Connect to arts & other cultures

Plan performances

Does your school have concerts planned seasonally?  If so, you may have some of these already marked in the calendar. 

While monthly concerts are unrealistic for most classes, spreading out the performances between grade levels makes things much more attainable.  

Performances can have themes such as Folk Songs, Patriotic music, stars, waters, or magic to name a few.  They can honor a variety of cultures, follow holidays (be mindful to be inclusive), or be cross-curricular in nature.  

Performances can also be casual.  Let me say that again for the peeps in the back:

Performances can also be casual! Middle schoolers benefit from dress rehearsals, so why not invite elementary music students to listen?!  In order for students to evaluate their performances, they need to, yep, you guessed it, perform!  And the wee ones LOVE to listen to big kids sing, play, dance, and perform.

Songs, Songs, Songs!

Singing music from around the world is so important!  Not only does it hit the 4th standard: Connect, but it is vital to your music program.  Select music that is grade appropriate such as Sol-Mi songs for little learners and songs middle school or high schoolers can sing to while self-accompanying on guitar or ukulele.

Doggie, Doggie Where's your Bone? is a fun song with La-Sol-Mi solfege & a corresponding game. It's a great game to start the year with because of the engaging nature and then once students know it, Doggie Doggie can be used as a game for a sub!

Later on, songs such as Mhairi's Wedding are attainable & provide the perfect challenge for growing musicians.  This lesson not only utilizes vocal & instrumental skills, but has a fun dance that would make for an engaging performance element.  It also connects to world music which helps create global citizens.

By the time little hands grow into coordinated music makers, playing xylophones or strummed instruments is not only the next logical step, but will bring joy to you and your students.  

Honor Holidays

This one can tricky. It's one of those all-in or all-out kind of deals.  If you're going to use holidays & festivals to select repertoire, make sure a wide variety of holidays are guiding your selections.  

An easy way to do this is to poll your students.  What do they celebrate at home?  Once you have a solid list, start looking for ways to include the beautiful & diverse collection of music.  If your school is religious, much of this will be selected for you, so I recommend checking in with the powers that be to see if there are rules surrounding including multi-faith pieces. 

As a quick note, I have taught in schools with high populations of Jehovah Witnesses who have strict rules about what they can & cannot sing.  Sticking to seasonal & nature-based songs can be helpful.

Consider Cultures

As I've said above, cultures are beautiful, rich, and important.  The music children listen to, sing, and play at home can be wonderful to being into the classroom.  

Added bonus: those parents make for great resources!!  Seriously.  Ask them for song suggestions, to bring in instruments for demonstrations, or teach a dance.  

I love world music, especially folk songs.  Their simplicity is great for a quick lesson but can be extended into multiple classes.

Purpose & Passion

What do you love?

Not what do you do because you have to, or what you've grown used to, or those things you "should" love as a teacher.  I'm talking about when you first envisioned being a teacher.  What is that thing you just couldn't wait to do?

Do that.

The idea that just popped into your mind, was it sitting on the floor reading books?  Was it performing out in public?  Was it helping kids feel like they belong through music?  

Do. that. thing.

That passion fuels your purpose and can guide your music curriculum.  

Happy planning!

Jaime