Grade

Skill Matched with Neurological Development

Sample Instructional Method
(could use others)

Reason

K

Listening (Auditory acuity and perceptual development)

Instrumental Ensembles (wind or string trios play classical and contemporary music that align with classroom topics)

Musical training increases sensitivity to & recognition of sounds and patterns, which leads to oral language and literacy development.

1

Speaking (Language acquisition – perceptual development is linked to language development; particularly important for English-language learners)

Opera Duo (after listening to great works of opera sung by the duo, students create their own story, lyrics, and music to stage and perform)

Opera links writing and music by focusing on comprehension and composition. A phrase in music is comparable to a sentence. Several phrases = a paragraph; longer musical works = chapters or an entire book.

2

Physical Movement and Control (Kinesthetic awareness) and Critical Thinking

Creative Movement (Dance artist help students to interpret and respond to music while collaborating and solving problems creatively)

Physical movement to spoken language builds bridges of understanding and internalization required for literacy. Students interpret and respond to a diversity of dance patterns and music thus expanding their vocabularies, enhancing listening/viewing skills and begin thinking critically.

3

Self-expression,teamwork, problem solving and creativity (Collaboration and improvisation)

Recorder & Keyboard (Daily shared reading of musical scores and composing and improvising original works)

Concrete reasoning occurs with listening, processing visual information, and coordinating movement. Phonics, musical notation and math link auditory centers to left and right parts of the brain.

4

Abstract Reasoning that combine listening and physical skills (Development of fine motor skills)

Violin and Thematic Study, Professional Performance/Exhibit Experiences

Use of fine motor and auditory skills that work together to decode, create, perform, and evaluate. The bridge between the right/left sides of the brain completes its development, allowing both hemispheres to respond to an event simultaneously.

5

Integration of all K-5 skills (Multi-modal learning; understanding of the process through research, creation and the final product)

Wind/String selected by students and Thematic Study through original stories and compositions, Professional Performance/Exhibit Experiences

Discrimination skills allow students to respond to the arts attending performances and design an integrated unit through inquiry based learning to demonstrate multi-modal learning.