Incorporating Common Core State Standards into the Music Education Classroom

Understanding the Concept of Common Core

What is the Common Core?

State education chiefs and governors in 48 states came together to develop the Common Core, a set of clear college- and career-ready standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Today, [46] states have voluntarily adopted and are working to implement the standards, which are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to take credit bearing introductory courses in either two-year or four-year college programs or to enter the workforce.*

What guidance do the Common Core State Standards provide to teachers?

The Common Core State Standards are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the knowledge and skills students need in English language arts and mathematics at each grade level so they can be prepared to succeed in college, career, and life. The standards establish what students need to learn, but they do not dictate how teachers should teach. Teachers will devise their own lesson plans and curriculum, and tailor their instruction to the individual needs of the students in their classrooms.*

Do the Common Core State Standards replace the Mississippi Visual and Performing Arts Framework?

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) do not replace the 2003 Mississippi Visual and Performing Arts Framework. The Common Core State Standards Initiative website (www.corestandards.org) states, “It is important to note that the literacy standards in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects [including music] for grades 6–12 are meant to supplement content standards in those areas, not replace them.” Common Core standards for grades K-5 focus exclusively on English language ...

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...help students meet the particular challenges of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in their respective fields.”

(Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, Introduction, p.3)

Music is Math.

Although the Mathematics section of the CCSS does not include a set of standards for “technical subjects” as the ELA does for grades 6-12, there are still many opportunities to reinforce mathematical concepts in the music classroom. Why? Because Music is math.

“If one person were to say that music is a set of mathematical relationships that can be explained with algebraic equations, and another person were to say that music is a gift from God, that mankind will never really totally comprehend, both of those individuals would be absolutely correct.” –Jack H. David, Jr.