Music Explorations

Music Explorations for fifth grade utilizes the Orff developmental approach on the barred instruments and other percussion and stringed instruments. Orff is an ensemble setting where students learn to play melodies, harmonies and rhythm patterns in different tonal parts, and collaboratively work towards a common goal while building confidence and musical, social and motor skill sets. Orff engages the mind and body, and learning occurs using a multi-modal, total awareness experience including singing, playing, moving, listening, speaking, using body percussion, improvising and creating to explore the basic fundamentals, concepts and elements of music. The curriculum is integrated with fifth grade social studies of Colonial America in the first half of the year, and in the second half students focus on genres such as Spirituals, Blues, Jazz, and Rock music.