Submitted by Pamela Rezach, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Idea posted October 9, 2003

My two schools are having formal open houses. This year the teachers are to focus on the standards of each academic subject. I decided that the "specials" shouldn't be left out of this opportunity, so I came up with something that will at least let the parents know there are standards for the specials too.

I wrote a letter to every parent. I am going to ask each teacher to hand it out to the parents on the night of open house. It turned out to be a pretty good letter so I thought I'd share it with each of you. Here it is:


Dear Parents,

I wish I could be in all places at one time, but of course that is an impossible task; therefore, I am doing the next best thing. I have prepared this message for you in hopes that you will be enlightened about your child's music experience throughout the elementary years.

Music in elementary school is much different now than it was when we were in school. I can remember going to music class, opening to different pages in the music book, singing the songs, and going back to my regular classroom. That's it! We did not learn about the fundamentals of music, we did not learn about music history, nor did we learn specific procedures concerning singing. Involving the academic subjects during music class was not part of our music experience.

Today's music classes are far from the description I have explained above. Part of your child's music experience will involve music history, music theory, movement activities, and proper singing technique. The music lesson plans will be supplemented with academic disciplines. Your child will learn how the academic subjects are an important component in music and their lives. In my classes, science, social studies, math, and handwriting will be an important factor of their learning experience in music this year.

Below are the National Music Standards (Music teachers in Cuyahoga Falls use these standards to create lesson plans.):

Standard #1: Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
Standard #2: Performing on instruments alone and with others a varied repertoire of music.
Standard #3: Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments.
Standard #4: Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines.
Standard #5: Read and notating music.
Standard #6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
Standard #7: Evaluating music and music performance.
Standard #8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
Standard #9: Understanding music in relation to history and culture.
Standard #10: Movement and dance. (We focus upon this standard in music/gym classes.)

I hope this information will help you appreciate the fact that the combination of all areas of education helps to create well-rounded students. Although the "specials" (art, music, and physical education) are in a category by themselves, they are not less important to the building of young minds.

Not only do the "specials" supplement the academic subjects, the academic subjects supplement the "specials." One without the other provides an educational experience that is less than adequate. I thank Cuyahoga Falls City School System for providing our students with a well-balanced educational experience.