The American School of Marrakesh

2014-2015 Grade 6/7 Music Syllabus

Ms. Stivers
kstivers@asm.ac.ma

Course Objectives:
In grade 6/7 Music Class, students focus on playing the djembe, keyboard, and guitar. In addition to
instrument study, they continue to work on vocal technique and music theory. They receive music
instruction three times per week for one 11-week trimester.

Units of Study:
The course is divided into three units that culminate in a Cross-Curricular Arts project. Students will work
in small groups to compose a piece for djembe, keyboard, and guitar that is inspired by elements from a
visual art masterpiece.

Unit One: Djembe, Reading Music, and Singing
-review djembe posture and playing technique
-review bass, tone, and slap notes
-practice playing and improvising rhythm patterns alone, in small groups, and with the entire class
-review the basic note values and compose rhythm patterns
-learn how to read time signatures in duple and triple meter
-learn to perform music with symmetric and asymmetric meters
-learn to sing and play songs from West Africa

Unit Two: Keyboard, Reading Music, Singing
-review keyboard posture and playing technique
-review how to read simple chord charts
-review D, G, A7, Em, and Bm chords in simple patterns
-learn to identify treble and bass clef note names
-learn to play chords with the left hand and melody with the right hand simultaneously
-learn to play a C major scale in one hand
-learn to sing and play popular songs

Unit Three: Guitar, Reading Music, Singing
-review guitar posture and playing technique
-review chord charts and tablature
-review D, G, A7, Em, and Bm chords
-learn to sing and play popular songs

Final Project:
Cross-curricular Arts project: students work in groups to compose a music composition inspired by
elements from a visual art masterpiece. Each group will perform their composition for the class and will
receive feedback from classmates. Then they will critique their groups performance and their individual
work ethic.

Grading Breakdown:
Tests/Final Performances: 30%

Quizzes/Performance Checkpoints: 40%

Classwork/Independent Practice: 20%

Projects: 10%

Behavioral Expectations:
1. Be on time for class.
2. Participate in all learning activities from bell to bell.
3. Show respect to your teacher, fellow classmates, and classroom materials.
4. Respond to quiet signals and directions immediately.
5. Do not touch instruments without permission and always handle them carefully.
6. Strive to demonstrate the character pillars on a daily basis.