In our Music room, every grade level has the opportunity to explore rhythm and pitch through movement, instrument play and performance.

K – Nursery rhymes, steady beat proficiency, Loud/Soft (forte/piano), Tempo (fast/Slow), and rhythmic dictation using the Kodaly symbols “ta” and “ti-ti.”

1st – Distinguishing the difference between a steady beat and rhythm, rhythmic dictation using “ta”and “ti-ti.” We review and elaborate on pitch (high/low) notated by Sol Feg Syllables.

2nd – Exploring rhythm: creating and performing rhythm patterns with a steady beat in a drum circle. Work on pitch (high/low) notated by Sol Feg Syllables with the seven different notes in a diatonic scale. Introduce rhythm by tradition notation rather than the Kodaly/Orff method of “ta/ti.”

3rd – Identify the basics of music: staff, treble clef, and the notes of the staff. Third grade presents the Annual Winter Program. In third grade, our students are introduced to basic guitar skills and start recorder in the spring.

4th & 5th – We discuss geography, world, and music history through our different composers. We introduce the concept of drumming which is often done in circles in West Africa with a concentration of Ghana. We discuss the importance of the circle as a symbol of equality among cultures such as American Indians, Aborigines of Australia, and others. Students learn drum basics: open tones/bass tones on (conga type) drums. These students as well play guitar and recorder in the spring, working on basic chord structures and note value.

Welcome to P.E.

The purpose of physical education is to help students acquire the knowledge, processes, skills, and confidence needed to engage in meaningful physical activity both in the present and for a lifetime. The practice of leading a physically active lifestyle will bring about personal enjoyment, challenge, satisfaction, and a health-enhancing level of personal fitness. We challenge students to find socialization through physical activity to enhance communication and leadership skills as well. As a result of physical education instruction, the student will be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate competence in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
• Apply movement principles and concepts to learning and developing motor skills and specialized movement forms.
• Achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of personal fitness.
• Demonstrate responsible personal and social behaviors in physical activity settings.
• Demonstrate a physically active lifestyle, including activity within and outside of the physical education setting.

Salem Elementary has a rich history of providing popular physical fitness activities for all students. Here are some highlights of our program:

• Golf, which involves our local chapter of The First Tee, with equipment provided through First Tee.
• Tennis, which includes equipment provided by USTA and participation in the Chesterfield Junior Cup.
• Fishing, which involves fishing equipment provided through a grant from The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
• Bike Safety, which involves learning to ride safely, wearing a helmet using signals and riding defensively.