Assessment Practices in American Elementary General Music Classrooms

Abstract

Children in the elementary general music classroom assume multiple roles as they create, perform, respond to, and make connections through music. When children create, they demonstrate musical knowledge, skills, and understandings as they compose and improvise. As performers, they demonstrate musical skill and technique while moving, singing, and playing. To make meaning in music, children respond by listening and evaluating. Finally, when relating artistic experiences they make connections to enhance personal meaning and relevancy. The elementary general music specialist is in a unique position to assess these diverse behaviors in an authentic manner. Music teachers gather and interpret assessment information, record student progress, and communicate student success. An examination of best-practice assessment strategies in American elementary general music classroom is included in this chapter.