Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Music: Grade 6

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Creative Process

  • 1

    Apply creative thinking to composing and improvising music. Apply creative thinking by employing originality, flexibility, experimentation, individual voice, and imagination to improvise and compose music. 

    1. 6.1

      The student will demonstrate creative thinking by composing and improvising original music. 6.1

      1. a

        Improvise four-measure melodic and rhythmic phrases.6.1.a

      2. b

        Compose four-measure melodies and rhythms.6.1.b

      3. c

        Arrange an existing musical phrase.6.1.c

  • 2

    Understand and apply a creative process to develop ideas for creating and performing music. Understand and apply a creative process to guide the development of ideas and original work.

    1. 6.2

      The student will apply a creative process for music.6.2

      1. a

        Explore components of creative processes for music.6.2.a

      2. b

        Define, organize, and share personal ideas, investigations, and research of music ideas and concepts.6.2.b

Critical Thinking and Communication 

  • 3

    Analyze, interpret, and evaluate music. Develop critical thinking skills in the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of the work of self and others.

    1. 6.3

      The student will analyze, interpret, and evaluate music.6.3

      1. a

        Describe expressive qualities of works of music using inquiry skills and music terminology.6.3.a

      2. b

        Examine and apply personal and accepted criteria for evaluating works of music.6.3.b

      3. c

        Describe performances of music using music terminology.6.3.c

      4. d

        Apply accepted criteria for critiquing musical works and performances of self and others.6.3.d

  • 4

    Formulate and justify personal responses and connections to music. Recognize, justify, and articulate personal responses, beliefs, and opinions regarding music and recognize the value in learning about diverse opinions and responses to music. 

    1. 6.4

      The student will formulate and justify personal responses to music.6.4

      1. a

        Identify reasons for preferences among works of music using music terminology.6.4.a

      2. b

        Identify ways in which music evokes sensory, emotional, and intellectual responses, including ways in which music can be persuasive.6.4.b

  • 5

    Develop collaboration and communication skills for music rehearsal and performance. Identify and apply collaboration and communication skills for rehearsal and performance of music.

    1. 6.5

      The student will identify and demonstrate collaboration and communication skills for music, including active listening.6.5

History, Culture, and Citizenship

  • 6

    Understand cultural and historical influences of music. Demonstrate understanding of cultural and historical influences of music. 

    1. 6.6

      The student will explore historical and cultural influences of music.6.6

      1. a

        Identify the cultural influences, musical styles, composers, and historical periods associated with the music literature being studied.6.6.a

      2. b

        Describe ways in which culture influences the development of music and music styles.6.6.b

  • 7

    Understand music as a form of community engagement. Identify and interact with music and develop a lifelong engagement as a performer, supporter, advocate, and audience member.

    1. 6.7

      The student will explore the functions of music, including the use of music as a form of expression, communication, ceremony, and entertainment. 6.7

  • 8

    Ethical and legal considerations for music and intellectual property. Identify and understand ethical and legal considerations for engaging with music, resources, and source material as a responsible citizen.

    1. 6.8

      The student will explain intellectual property as it relates to music.6.8

Innovation in the Arts

  • 9

    College, career, and the 21st Century Workplace. Connect music content and skills to career options, college opportunities, and the 21st Century workplace.

    1. 6.9

      The student will describe career options in music.6.9

  • 10

    Understand and explore the impact of current and emerging technologies. Participate in a rapidly changing world of music and explore the impact of current and emerging technologies, media, and processes.

    1. 6.10

      The student will identify ways in which culture and technology influence the development of music and musical styles, including the ways sound is manipulated.6.10

  •  

    Cultivate connections to other fine arts and fields of knowledge. Identify and cultivate connections between music and other fields of knowledge to develop problem-solving skills.

    1. 6.11

      The student will describe the connections of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.6.11

Technique and Application

  • 12

    Music Literacy: Acquire the technical skills and artistic knowledge necessary for creative, expressive, and artistic performance. Demonstrate understanding of elements of music and ways they are used for artistic performance and creative expression

    1. 6.12

      The student will read and notate music.6.12

      1. a

        Identify tonal, rhythmic, and melodic patterns containing steps, skips, and leaps.6.12.a

      2. b

        Recognize diatonic intervals.6.12.b

      3. c

        Identify and notate melodies on the musical staff.6.12.c

      4. d

        Read and notate rhythmic patterns that include whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and corresponding rests.6.12.d

      5. e

        Identify the meaning of the upper and lower numbers of time signatures.6.12.e

    2. 6.13

      The student will perform a variety of music. 6.13

      1. a

        Sing or play music in unison and simple harmony.6.13.a

      2. b

        Follow dynamic and tempo markings.6.13.b

      3. c

        Identifying appropriate performance practices.6.13.c

    3. 6.14

      The student will perform melodies and accompaniments.6.14

      1. a

        Sing or play instruments with and without notation.6.14.a

      2. b

        Perform music in a variety of ensembles.6.14.b

    4. 6.15

      The student will read, count, and perform rhythmic patterns.6.15

      1. a

        Use a counting system.6.15.a

      2. b

        Include patterns that suggest duple and triple meter6.15.b

      3. c

        Use instruments, body percussion, and voice.6.15.c

      4. d

        Include whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and corresponding rests. 6.15.d

    5. 6.16

      The student will respond to music with movement by performing non-choreographed and choreographed movements.6.16

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 6
Where can I read the official document?
Fine Arts Standards of Learning General Music

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