Core Skills Analysis
Music
During a one-hour group music class, Daivey played real drums, guitar, and keyboard and performed two songs for parents. He practiced making music with different instruments and contributing to songs as part of a group. Performing both songs gave him experience sharing practiced music with an audience. At age seven, he could build musical confidence and cooperation through playing and performing alongside other children.
Language Arts
Daivey participated in two songs and presented them to parents, connecting words with rhythm and musical expression. Singing or performing song lyrics can help a child attend to how words sound and fit into a sequence. Taking part in a group performance also gave him practice communicating meaning to listeners through a shared presentation. This experience supported oral expression in a creative setting.
Social-Emotional Learning
Daivey took part in a music class with children ages five to seven and performed two songs for parents. Playing and presenting music in a group gave him opportunities to coordinate his contribution with others and participate in a shared goal. Performing for an audience also offered practice expressing himself in front of listeners. The activity suggests engagement with collaborative music-making and a positive opportunity to build confidence.
Tips
Tips Extend Daivey’s musical learning by inviting him to choose a familiar song and identify which instruments could create its beat, melody, or accompaniment. Make simple homemade shakers and compare their sounds with drum, guitar, and keyboard tones, describing which are loud, soft, high, or low. He could also help plan a short family performance by choosing two songs, deciding who plays each part, and introducing the music to listeners. Afterward, invite him to draw or write about a favorite moment from performing.
Book Recommendations
- Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss: A lively introduction to instruments, musical groups, and the sounds that come together in an ensemble.
- The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow: A playful story about a young musician exploring instruments and discovering the joy of making music.
- The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin: A behind-the-scenes look at musicians preparing together for a performance.
Learning Standards
- Ontario Arts Curriculum, Music, Grade 1 — Creating and Performing: Playing drums, guitar, and keyboard and performing two songs connected to creating and presenting music. Relevant expectations include B1 (apply the creative process to create and perform music) and B2 (apply the critical analysis process to communicate feelings, ideas, and understandings through the arts).
- Ontario Arts Curriculum, Music, Grade 1 — Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing: Participating in an ensemble and presenting music to parents offered experience engaging with music in a social and performance context. Relevant expectation: C1 (apply the critical analysis process to communicate feelings, ideas, and understandings in response to a variety of music).
- Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grade 1 — Social-Emotional Learning Skills: Group music-making and a shared performance provided opportunities to participate cooperatively and express oneself. Relevant expectation: A1 (use social-emotional learning skills to help foster overall health and well-being).
Try This Next
- Draw a picture of the drums, guitar, and keyboard, then label each instrument.
- Make a three-question music quiz: Which instrument keeps a beat? Which instrument did Daivey play? How many songs did the group perform?
- Create a family concert plan with two song choices and a simple instrument part for each performer.