5 Reasons to Make MusicFirst Elementary Your New Curriculum

We launched MusicFirst Elementary less than a year ago with our partners from the UK, Charanga, and every day, more and more school districts are adopting the curriculum to engage with students and provide a high quality, standards-based spiral curriculum at an affordable price. As elementary music educators, we're constantly seeking innovative and effective tools to enrich our students' musical journey and we believe that MusicFirst Elementary is a standout option for K-5 music curriculum. Our elementary music consultant, Amy M Burns, has been creating amazing videos that show the product in action and explain both how it works, as well as how you can implement it in your school. As the 2024-25 school year approaches, and decisions on which resources to use are happening, here are the 5 main reasons why you should consider implementing MusicFirst Elementary in your classroom, complete with some of Amy’s best explainer videos.

Innovative Spiral Curriculum

MusicFirst Elementary sets itself apart with its innovative spiral curriculum design. This approach revisits key musical concepts throughout the K-5 journey, allowing students to deepen their understanding as they progress. Each grade level builds upon previous knowledge, reinforcing fundamental skills while introducing more complex ideas. For example, rhythm concepts introduced in kindergarten through simple clapping exercises evolve into more sophisticated rhythmic reading and composition by fifth grade. This spiral structure ensures that learning is cumulative, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate, fostering a strong musical foundation for your students.

Alignment with State and National Music Standards

One of the most important aspects of MusicFirst Elementary is its meticulous alignment with both state and national music education standards. The curriculum has been carefully crafted to address the National Core Arts Standards for Music, as well as individual state standards. This alignment ensures that your instruction covers all necessary competencies, from creating and performing to responding and connecting. With MusicFirst Elementary, you can confidently navigate any administrative requirements for the use of standards-based instruction, knowing that your lessons are meeting crucial benchmarks at every grade level.

Suite of Creative Software Applications

MusicFirst Elementary goes beyond traditional music education by offering a suite of creative software applications designed to engage and inspire young musicians. These tools cater to various aspects of music creation and exploration. For instance, students can compose melodies using child-friendly notation software, experiment with digital instruments, or even create simple multi-track recordings in YuStudio, the exclusive DAW that is included with every MusicFirst Elementary implementation. This technology integration not only enhances learning but also introduces students to the digital aspects of modern music-making, preparing them for a technology-rich musical future.

User-Friendly Interface

Ease of use is crucial for any educational technology, and MusicFirst Elementary is PERFECT for music educators of all technical experience levels. The platform boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface that's accessible for both teachers and students. Navigation is straightforward, with clearly labeled sections for lessons, activities, and resources. The design is visually appealing and age-appropriate, featuring colorful graphics and simple icons that guide users through the learning process. This ease of use means less time spent figuring out the technology and more time focused on making music and learning.

Affordability

In an era of tight budgets, MusicFirst Elementary offers a cost-effective solution for comprehensive music education - all for $695/year per school building for unlimited users. The platform's pricing model is designed to be accessible for schools of all sizes and budgets. By consolidating multiple resources into one platform, it eliminates the need for various separate materials and software licenses, potentially leading to significant cost savings. The affordability of MusicFirst Elementary allows schools to invest in a high-quality music curriculum without straining their financial resources.

If you would like to try out MusicFirst Elementary FREE for 30 days, sign up for a free trial at https://www.musicfirst.com/free-trial. We hope you like what you find there!