Grade 1 Arts, Music & PE Curriculum Supplement

About This Supplement

This 36-week curriculum supplement for 1st grade in Arts (Visual Art), Music, and Physical Education is designed to align with the general principles and content areas found in the standards of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. While specific state standards vary, this curriculum focuses on common themes and developmental appropriateness for 1st graders, ensuring a robust and engaging learning experience.

Each subject area receives approximately 90 minutes of dedicated instruction per week, building upon or enhancing your core curriculum with additional depth and resources.

Curriculum Assumptions

Time Allocation: Each category (Visual Art, Music, Physical Education) will have approximately 90 minutes of dedicated instruction per week.
Supplemental Focus: This is a supplement, meaning it builds upon or enhances a core curriculum, offering additional depth and resources.
Resources Required: The curriculum assumes access to a classroom, gymnasium/outdoor space, and basic art and music supplies.

Curriculum Overview

Visual Art

Develop fine motor skills and creative expression through drawing, painting, and exploring the elements of art.

Overarching Themes

Exploring the Elements of Art (Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Form, Space, Value)
Developing Fine Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination
Expressing Ideas and Emotions Through Art
Understanding Art in Different Cultures and Times

Weeks 1-6: Exploring Line and Shape

Weeks 7-12: Discovering Color and Texture

Weeks 13-18: Form and Space

Weeks 19-24: Value and Self-Expression

Weeks 25-30: Art from Around the World

Weeks 31-36: Art and Storytelling

Music

Develop aural skills, rhythm, and musical understanding through singing, movement, and exploring diverse musical styles.

Overarching Themes

Developing Aural Skills (listening and identifying sounds)
Understanding Basic Musical Elements (Rhythm, Pitch, Tempo, Dynamics)
Exploring Different Musical Genres and Cultures
Engaging in Movement and Self-Expression Through Music

Weeks 1-6: Rhythm and Beat

Weeks 7-12: Pitch and Melody

Weeks 13-18: Tempo and Dynamics

Weeks 19-24: Form and Timbre

Weeks 25-30: Music and Movement/Cultural Music

Weeks 31-36: Music and Storytelling/Performance

Physical Education

Develop fundamental motor skills, physical fitness, and cooperative play through age-appropriate activities and games.

Overarching Themes

Developing Fundamental Motor Skills (Locomotor, Non-Locomotor, Manipulative)
Promoting Physical Fitness Components (Cardiovascular Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, Balance)
Encouraging Cooperation and Sportsmanship
Understanding Safety and Healthy Habits

Weeks 1-6: Locomotor Skills and Space Awareness

Weeks 7-12: Non-Locomotor Skills and Balance

Weeks 13-18: Manipulative Skills (Throwing and Catching)

Weeks 19-24: Manipulative Skills (Kicking and Dribbling)

Weeks 25-30: Fitness Components (Cardiovascular & Strength)

Weeks 31-36: Games, Cooperation, and Safety

Visual Art Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Exploring Line and Shape

Focus: Different types of lines (straight, curved, zig-zag, wavy), identifying basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle), creating patterns with lines and shapes.

Activities:

Line exploration with crayons, markers, pencils (drawing "line monsters," "line landscapes").
Shape collages using pre-cut paper shapes.
Drawing objects made of basic shapes (houses, robots).
Creating abstract art with lines and shapes.

Resources:

Books:

Lines That Wiggle by Candace Whitman
Shape by Shape by Suse MacDonald
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

Supplies:

Crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, scissors (child-safe), glue sticks, drawing paper.

Multimedia/Online:

Videos demonstrating drawing different lines and shapes (e.g., from Art for Kids Hub, Draw So Cute on YouTube).
Online interactive shape games.
Examples of art by Piet Mondrian (geometric shapes) and Wassily Kandinsky (lines and colors).

Weeks 7-12: Discovering Color and Texture

Focus: Primary and secondary colors, warm and cool colors, mixing colors, identifying and creating textures (rough, smooth, bumpy, soft).

Activities:

Finger painting to explore color mixing.
Creating "texture rubbings" with crayons and various textured surfaces.
Painting still lifes with primary colors.
Making collages with different textured materials (fabric scraps, cotton balls, sandpaper).

Resources:

Books:

Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Press Here by Hervé Tullet

Supplies:

Tempera paints, paintbrushes, paper plates (for palettes), sponges, textured materials (fabric scraps, yarn, bubble wrap, sandpaper, leaves), white drawing paper.

Multimedia/Online:

Videos on color mixing (e.g., from The Artful Parent).
Online color wheels for interactive learning.
Images of artwork by Vincent van Gogh (texture in brushstrokes) and Claude Monet (color exploration).

Weeks 13-18: Form and Space

Focus: Understanding 2D vs. 3D, creating simple 3D forms (coils, spheres), exploring foreground, middle ground, background in drawings.

Activities:

Sculpting with play-doh or modeling clay to create simple forms.
Creating "pop-up" art to demonstrate 3D elements on a 2D surface.
Drawing landscapes with a clear foreground, middle ground, and background.
Building with recycled materials (boxes, tubes) to create sculptures.

Resources:

Books:

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (exploring space)
Art & Max by David Wiesner (perspective/space)

Supplies:

Play-doh or air-dry clay, recycled materials (cardboard tubes, boxes, plastic containers), glue, tape, scissors.

Multimedia/Online:

Videos demonstrating basic clay techniques for kids.
Virtual tours of sculpture gardens (e.g., Google Arts & Culture).

Weeks 19-24: Value and Self-Expression

Focus: Light and dark (value), creating tints and shades, using art to express feelings, drawing self-portraits.

Activities:

Drawing with charcoal or black crayons to explore shades of gray.
Mixing white or black paint with a color to create tints and shades.
Creating "feeling faces" drawings or masks.
Drawing self-portraits or portraits of friends/family.

Resources:

Books:

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Supplies:

Charcoal sticks, black and white tempera paint, colored paper, mirrors (small, unbreakable for self-portraits).

Multimedia/Online:

Videos on creating tints and shades.
Examples of expressive portraits from different artists (e.g., Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso's early works).

Weeks 25-30: Art from Around the World

Focus: Exploring art forms from different cultures (e.g., African masks, Native American pottery, Japanese origami, Aboriginal dot painting).

Activities:

Creating simplified versions of cultural art forms (e.g., paper plate masks, pinch pots, simple origami folds, dot paintings with Q-tips).
Learning about the stories and traditions behind the art.
Creating a "gallery walk" of student artwork.

Resources:

Books:

Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children (showcasing diverse children/cultures)
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema (Kenyan folktale, can inspire masks/patterns)

Supplies:

Paper plates, tempera paints, clay, construction paper, origami paper, Q-tips.

Multimedia/Online:

Videos showcasing traditional art forms from various cultures.
National Geographic Kids website (for cultural information).
Virtual museum exhibits featuring global art.

Weeks 31-36: Art and Storytelling/Connecting Art to Other Subjects

Focus: Creating art that tells a story, illustrating favorite books, connecting art to nature and science.

Activities:

Illustrating a simple story (original or a familiar fable).
Creating artwork inspired by nature observations (leaf printing, drawing insects).
Making art related to seasonal changes or holidays.
Reviewing and displaying favorite artwork from the year.

Resources:

Books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

Supplies:

Variety of drawing and painting materials, nature items (leaves, small twigs), large paper for murals.

Multimedia/Online:

Animated versions of illustrated books.
Videos on drawing animals or plants.
Online art generators for simple storyboards.

Music Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Rhythm and Beat

Focus: Identifying and keeping a steady beat, understanding basic rhythms (ta - quarter note, ti-ti - eighth notes), clapping and patting rhythms.

Activities:

Singing songs and patting the beat (e.g., "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star").
Clapping and speaking rhythmic patterns ("ta, ti-ti, ta-ta").
Using rhythm sticks or body percussion to keep the beat.
Playing rhythm games (echo clapping).

Resources:

Books:

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle (rhythm inspiration)
The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (rhythmic text)

Supplies:

Rhythm sticks, shakers (homemade with rice/beans), scarves for movement, simple percussion instruments (optional: tambourines, small drums).

Multimedia/Online:

YouTube: "Boomwhackers" videos for rhythmic exploration.
"Rhythm Reading for Kids" videos.
Online rhythm games (e.g., from PBS Kids Music Games).

Weeks 7-12: Pitch and Melody

Focus: High/low sounds, step/skip in melody, identifying melodic contour (up, down, same), singing simple melodies.

Activities:

Singing songs with clear high and low notes (e.g., "Engine, Engine Number Nine").
Using hand signs (Solfege: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do) for melodic practice.
Creating "melodic pathways" drawings (lines going up/down for pitches).
Playing "high/low" sound games with instruments or voices.

Resources:

Books:

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss (introduces instruments)

Supplies:

Xylophone or glockenspiel (for exploring high/low pitches), pitch pipes (for teacher).

Multimedia/Online:

Carnegie Hall's Music Educators Toolbox (Grade 1 melodic contour activities).
YouTube: "Solfege Hand Signs for Kids" videos.
Virtual piano keyboard apps for exploring pitch.

Weeks 13-18: Tempo and Dynamics

Focus: Fast/slow (tempo), loud/soft (dynamics), expressing musical ideas through tempo and dynamics.

Activities:

Moving to music at different tempos (fast running, slow walking).
Singing songs at varying dynamics (soft whisper, loud shout).
Playing "conductor" games, where students dictate tempo and dynamics.
Listening to classical music examples with clear tempo and dynamic changes (e.g., "Flight of the Bumblebee," "The Swan").

Resources:

Books:

The Lion and the Mouse (can be used for dynamic interpretation)

Supplies:

Scarves or ribbons for expressive movement.

Multimedia/Online:

Carnegie Hall's Music Educators Toolbox (Grade 1 tempo and dynamics activities).
YouTube: Classical music pieces for kids demonstrating tempo and dynamics.
Interactive musical stories that change with tempo/dynamics.

Weeks 19-24: Form and Timbre

Focus: Identifying repeating sections (ABA form), recognizing different instrument sounds (timbre), classifying instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion).

Activities:

Listening to songs and identifying repeating verses or choruses.
Playing an "instrument guessing game" by listening to sound clips.
Making simple homemade instruments (e.g., shakers, kazoos from toilet paper rolls).
Drawing pictures of different instruments.

Resources:

Books:

Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev (excellent for instrument recognition)

Supplies:

Various simple instruments (classroom set of rhythm instruments, access to a keyboard), recycled materials for homemade instruments.

Multimedia/Online:

YouTube: "Meet the Orchestra" videos.
Recordings of "Peter and the Wolf" with clear instrument themes.
Online instrument sound libraries.

Weeks 25-30: Music and Movement/Cultural Music

Focus: Moving creatively to music, exploring dance from different cultures, listening to music from around the world.

Activities:

Free dance and creative movement to various music styles.
Learning simple folk dances (e.g., "Hokey Pokey," "Ring Around the Rosie").
Listening to and moving to music from different cultures (e.g., African drumming, Latin American folk music, Asian traditional music).
Creating "soundscapes" using voices and body sounds inspired by cultural themes.

Resources:

Books:

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
Global Music Series by Putumayo Kids (CDs/streaming)

Supplies:

Open space for movement.

Multimedia/Online:

YouTube: Videos of children's folk dances from various countries.
Putumayo Kids music videos and online content.
Recordings of world music.

Weeks 31-36: Music and Storytelling/Performance

Focus: Creating music to tell a story, composing simple rhythmic patterns, preparing and presenting a short musical performance.

Activities:

Creating sound effects for a short story or poem.
Composing simple rhythm patterns using graphic notation (e.g., drawing long lines for "ta" and two dots for "ti-ti").
Practicing and performing a selection of learned songs and rhythm pieces for peers or parents.
Reviewing musical concepts learned throughout the year.

Resources:

Books:

Music is... by Stephen T. Johnson (imagining music in everyday life)

Supplies:

Whiteboard or large paper for graphic notation, rhythm instruments.

Multimedia/Online:

Simple online music sequencers or rhythm makers (e.g., Chrome Music Lab - Rhythm section).
Videos of children's musical performances.

Physical Education Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Locomotor Skills and Space Awareness

Focus: Mastering basic locomotor skills (walking, running, hopping, jumping, galloping, sliding, skipping), understanding personal and general space.

Activities:

Warm-up games involving various locomotor movements (e.g., "Simon Says" with movements).
"Freeze Dance" to practice starting and stopping movements.
Obstacle courses incorporating different locomotor skills.
Games like "Tag" variations to practice dodging and chasing while maintaining personal space.

Resources:

Books:

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle (movement inspiration)

Supplies:

Cones, hula hoops, beanbags, music player.

Multimedia/Online:

GoNoodle videos (interactive movement activities).
YouTube channels with kid-friendly warm-up routines.

Weeks 7-12: Non-Locomotor Skills and Balance

Focus: Practicing non-locomotor movements (bending, stretching, twisting, shaking, swaying), developing static and dynamic balance.

Activities:

Stretching exercises, yoga poses for kids.
"Body Shape" games (making different shapes with their bodies).
Walking on lines (tape on the floor or playground lines) for balance.
Balance beam activities (low beam or lines on the floor).

Resources:

Books:

My Body by Living and Learning (simple body part identification)

Supplies:

Yoga mats (optional), scarves for swaying, balance beams (low), masking tape for floor lines.

Multimedia/Online:

"Cosmic Kids Yoga" videos (story-based yoga for children).
Videos demonstrating basic stretches and balance exercises.

Weeks 13-18: Manipulative Skills (Throwing and Catching)

Focus: Developing underhand and overhand throwing, catching with two hands, aiming at targets.

Activities:

Tossing and catching beanbags with a partner.
Throwing soft balls at a target.
Playing "hot potato" with a soft ball.
Introduction to cooperative throwing and catching games.

Resources:

Books:

Ball by Mary Sullivan (simple book about playing with a ball)

Supplies:

Beanbags, soft foam balls, yarn balls, hula hoops (as targets), laundry baskets or buckets (as targets).

Multimedia/Online:

Videos demonstrating proper throwing and catching techniques for young children.

Weeks 19-24: Manipulative Skills (Kicking and Dribbling)

Focus: Developing kicking skills (stationary and moving ball), dribbling with hands (bouncing) and feet (soccer style).

Activities:

Kicking stationary balls into a goal.
Dribbling a playground ball with hands.
Introduction to dribbling a soccer ball with feet.
Relay races incorporating dribbling or kicking.

Resources:

Books:

Pete the Cat: Play Ball! by James Dean

Supplies:

Playground balls, soccer balls, cones for dribbling courses, small goals or designated "goals" (e.g., two cones).

Multimedia/Online:

Videos on basic soccer dribbling techniques for kids.
Videos demonstrating proper basketball dribbling techniques for young children.

Weeks 25-30: Fitness Components (Cardiovascular & Strength)

Focus: Understanding what makes the heart beat faster, engaging in activities that build cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength.

Activities:

Running games (e.g., "Red Light, Green Light").
Jumping jacks, burpees (modified for age), push-ups (modified).
Circuit training with simple exercises (e.g., jumping, crawling, skipping).
"Animal walks" (bear crawl, crab walk) for strength.

Resources:

Books:

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle (movement and action)

Supplies:

Jump ropes (optional), exercise mats (optional), cones.

Multimedia/Online:

GoNoodle "brain break" videos for cardio.
Videos demonstrating kid-friendly exercises.

Weeks 31-36: Games, Cooperation, and Safety

Focus: Participating in cooperative games, understanding rules, demonstrating sportsmanship, identifying safe practices in physical activity.

Activities:

Playing team-building games (e.g., "parachute games," "human knot").
Learning and following rules for simple games (e.g., "Duck, Duck, Goose," "Musical Hoops").
Discussing and practicing good sportsmanship (taking turns, cheering for others).
Reviewing safety rules for different activities and environments.

Resources:

Books:

Arthur's Sports Album by Marc Brown (sportsmanship)

Supplies:

Parachute (optional), various balls, hula hoops, jump ropes.

Multimedia/Online:

Videos demonstrating cooperative games for elementary school.
Animated videos on sportsmanship and fair play.
Resources from SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) for grade-level outcomes and activities.

Implementation Tips & Resources

Scheduling Suggestions

Consider these approaches to integrating arts, music, and physical education into your weekly schedule:

Dedicated Days: Assign specific days for each subject (e.g., Music Mondays, Art Wednesdays, PE Fridays)
Integrated Approach: Connect arts activities to your current unit study or literature
Block Scheduling: Longer sessions (45-90 minutes) fewer times per week
Mini-Sessions: Short daily activities (15-20 minutes) for consistent exposure

Basic Supply List

These fundamental supplies will support the majority of activities in this curriculum:

Art Supplies

Crayons, markers, colored pencils
Watercolor and tempera paints
Brushes (various sizes)
Drawing paper and construction paper
Safety scissors and glue sticks
Play-doh or air-dry clay

Music & PE Equipment

Simple rhythm instruments
Rhythm sticks, shakers, tambourine
Scarves or ribbons for movement
Soft balls and beanbags
Jump ropes and hula hoops
Cones and floor tape

Additional Resources

Online Resources

Community Resources

Local museums with children's programs and field trips
Community music schools for supplemental lessons
YMCA and recreation centers for physical education activities
Homeschool co-ops for group art, music, and PE experiences
Public library programs that incorporate arts and movement

Assessment Ideas

Digital portfolio of artwork with student reflections
Video recordings of musical performances or PE activities
Skills checklists for physical education milestones
End-of-quarter showcase or mini-performance
Narrative assessments focusing on growth and engagement

Grade 1 Arts, Music & Physical Education

About This Supplement

Curriculum Assumptions

Curriculum Overview

Visual Art

Overarching Themes

Music

Overarching Themes

Physical Education

Overarching Themes

Visual Art Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Exploring Line and Shape

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 7-12: Discovering Color and Texture

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 13-18: Form and Space

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 19-24: Value and Self-Expression

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 25-30: Art from Around the World

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 31-36: Art and Storytelling/Connecting Art to Other Subjects

Activities:

Resources:

Music Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Rhythm and Beat

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 7-12: Pitch and Melody

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 13-18: Tempo and Dynamics

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 19-24: Form and Timbre

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 25-30: Music and Movement/Cultural Music

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 31-36: Music and Storytelling/Performance

Activities:

Resources:

Physical Education Detailed Curriculum

Weeks 1-6: Locomotor Skills and Space Awareness

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 7-12: Non-Locomotor Skills and Balance

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 13-18: Manipulative Skills (Throwing and Catching)

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 19-24: Manipulative Skills (Kicking and Dribbling)

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 25-30: Fitness Components (Cardiovascular & Strength)

Activities:

Resources:

Weeks 31-36: Games, Cooperation, and Safety

Activities:

Resources:

Implementation Tips & Resources

Scheduling Suggestions

Basic Supply List

Art Supplies

Music & PE Equipment

Additional Resources

Online Resources

Community Resources

Assessment Ideas

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