PRE MUSIC

Sing. Learn. Laugh. Grow

Welcome to the homepage for music at Prairie Ridge Elementary school in Shawnee, KS. We have a really exciting year planned for the students at PRE and I can't wait to get to know each one of you better!

Please revisit often to find news and notes about music class. Schedule updates, performance info, and class news can all be found here. Take a moment to browse and feel free to contact me! Please include your student's name and grade so I can properly address concerns. Thank you!

What to Expect in the Music Room

At Prairie Ridge Elementary, the music room is a place for everyone. Every student should feel empowered to participate in the music-making process in a safe and nurturing environment. Throughout the year, we will develop our skills in a variety of areas. Students will compose, listen, sing, play instruments, understand connections to other disciplines, dance, evaluate music and musical performances, improvise, and arrange.

PRE Cougars have the confidence to create, play, and sing on their own but also have the compassion to listen and work as an ensemble when making music with others. We are constantly stretching ourselves to understand more and become better musicians and all the while we are having a ton of fun!

What is Orff Schulwerk?

Orff Schulwerk is a teaching model for optimal learning.

This approach to learning, developed by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, builds musicianship through singing, playing instruments, speech, and movement. Active music making is the core of this philosophy, supporting both the conceptual and affective development of children. Active learners develop more thorough and better long-term understanding of the material and ideas involved. Children who regularly improvise and create their own dances and musical settings are uniquely prepared to solve problems in many other contexts. Read more on the website for the American Orff Schulwerk Association.

In Orff Schulwerk Classrooms students will...

DISCOVER musical concepts by imitation, exploration and experimentation.
PLAY with music through movement, improvisation, and composition.
FOCUS while listening to, interpreting, and performing elemental music.
USE TEAMWORK as they create collaboratively and perform in ensemble.

Orff Schulwerk prepares students to become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers.

Children learn skills that grow beyond music...

Creativity and critical thinking
Collaboration and communication
Linear and intuitive intelligence
Organization and leadership
Non-verbal expression of emotion
Confidence and self-esteem
Aesthetic valuing and cultural awareness