YourStateStandards

Ohio K–6 music standards

Ohio writes its own music standards. They are published as Ohio’s Learning Standards for Fine Arts, adopted 2024 and are not a version of a national framework. 128 of 144 are matched to a national standard.

Framework
Ohio’s Learning Standards for Fine Arts
Adopted
2024
Source last checked
July 26, 2026
Read the official document

144 standards, kindergarten through 6th grade

  • K.1COK

    Experience how music communicates feelings, moods, images, and meaning.

  • K.1CRK

    Experience a wide variety of vocal and instrumental sounds.

  • K.1PEK

    Track steady beat and rhythm (using graphic, iconic, or traditional notation).

  • K.1REK

    With prompting and support, listen to music of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • K.2COK

    Attend a music performance demonstrating appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • K.2CRK

    Compose simple rhythms using standard and/or iconic notation.

  • K.2PEK

    Explore the four voices—singing, speaking, whispering, and calling.

  • K.2REK

    Explore a variety of classroom instruments (metals, skins, woods).

  • K.3COK

    Investigate concepts shared between music, other art forms, and other subject areas.

  • K.3CRK

    Compose simple melodies (using contour, iconic, or kinesthetic representation).

  • K.3PEK

    Sing (using head voice and appropriate posture) and move to music of various styles, composers, and cultures.

  • K.3REK

    Recognize same and different (fast/slow, loud/quiet, high/low, long/short).

  • K.4PEK

    With guidance, play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others, and demonstrate proper techniques.

  • K.4REK

    Respond to music using movement, dance, drama, or visual art.

  • K.5PEK

    Demonstrate and maintain a steady beat while performing simple rhythmic echoes.

  • K.5REK

    Share observations and opinions about personal musical experiences and musical selections of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • K.6PEK

    Duplicate same and different (fast/slow, loud/quiet, high/low, long/short).

  • K.6REK

    With substantial guidance, follow and respond to the basic cues of a conductor.

  • K.7REK

    Discuss and identify songs that are used for a variety of occasions in various cultures.

  • K.8REK

    Experience the difference between steady beat and rhythm (through movement, body percussion).

  • 1.1CO1

    Explore how music communicates feelings, moods, images, and meaning.

  • 1.1CR1

    Improvise short rhythmic and melodic patterns using a variety of sound sources.

  • 1.1PE1

    Read and perform simple four-beat rhythms using eighth notes, quarter notes, and quarter rests.

  • 1.1RE1

    With guidance, listen to music of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 1.2CO1

    Attend music performances demonstrating appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • 1.2CR1

    Compose simple, four-beat rhythms using quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests using standard and iconic notation and a variety of sound sources.

  • 1.2PE1

    Read and perform bitonic, tritonic, or trichordal melodies (s-m; s-m-l or d, r, m) in different tonal centers.

  • 1.2RE1

    Explore selected musical instruments aurally and visually.

  • 1.3CO1

    Connect concepts shared between music, other art forms, and other subject areas.

  • 1.3CR1

    Compose bitonic, tritonic, or trichordal melodies (s-m; s-m-l or d, r, m) in treble clef in a variety of tonal centers.

  • 1.3PE1

    Sing (using head voice and appropriate posture) and move to music of various styles, composers, and cultures with accurate pitch and rhythm.

  • 1.3RE1

    Identify elements of music using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.

  • 1.4PE1

    With limited guidance, play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others, and demonstrate proper techniques

  • 1.4RE1

    Respond to music using movement, dance, drama, or visual art.

  • 1.5PE1

    Demonstrate call and response songs that include a steady beat, rhythm, and meter.

  • 1.5RE1

    Share observations and opinions about personal musical experiences and musical selections of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 1.6PE1

    Maintain a steady beat independently against a different rhythm and maintain a rhythm independently against a steady beat.

  • 1.6RE1

    With guidance, follow and respond to the cues of a conductor.

  • 1.7RE1

    Recognize how music is used for a variety of occasions in various cultures.

  • 1.8RE1

    With limited guidance, identify patterns of the same and different sections and phrases (AB, ABA, ABAB, ABAC) in a repertoire (simple poems, songs, folk dances).

  • 2.1CO2

    Identify how music communicates feelings, moods, images, and meaning.

  • 2.1CR2

    Improvise simple rhythmic and melodic phrases using known patterns and a variety of sound sources.

  • 2.1PE2

    Read and perform using known rhythms and half notes in simple duple and quadruple meters.

  • 2.1RE2

    Listen to and explore the music of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 2.2CO2

    Attend and discuss music performances demonstrating appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • 2.2CR2

    Compose simple four and eight-beat patterns using known rhythms and half-notes in simple duple and quadruple meters using phrase form, standard and iconic notation, and a variety of sound sources.

  • 2.2PE2

    Read and perform tetratonic and pentatonic melodies (d, r, m, l; d, r, m, s, l) in different tonal centers.

  • 2.2RE2

    Identify selected musical instruments aurally and visually.

  • 2.3CO2

    Compare and contrast grade-appropriate concepts shared between music and other subject areas.

  • 2.3CR2

    Compose pentatonic (d, r, m, s, l) melodies in treble clef in a variety of tonal centers.

  • 2.3PE2

    Sing (using head voice and appropriate posture) and move to music of various styles, composers, and cultures with accurate pitch and rhythm.

  • 2.3RE2

    Identify and apply elements of music using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.

  • 2.4PE2

    Play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others, and demonstrate proper techniques.

  • 2.4RE2

    Interpret music through movement, dance, drama, or visual art.

  • 2.5PE2

    Maintain independent melody over melodic ostinati.

  • 2.5RE2

    Discuss musical selections of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 2.6PE2

    Maintain independent, simple, four- and eight-beat rhythmic ostinati against a minimum of one separate part.

  • 2.6RE2

    Follow and respond to the basic cues of a conductor.

  • 2.7RE2

    Explain how music is used for a variety of purposes and occasions in various cultures.

  • 2.8RE2

    Analyze patterns of the same and different sections and phrases.

  • 3.1CO3

    Express how elements of music communicate feelings, moods, images, and meaning.

  • 3.1CR3

    Improvise simple rhythmic and melodic phrases in simple forms (question and answer or alternating phrases) using a variety of sound sources.

  • 3.1PE3

    Read and perform using known rhythms, dotted half notes, and sixteenth notes in simple duple, triple, and quadruple meters.

  • 3.1RE3

    Listen to, discuss, and explore the music of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 3.2CO3

    Attend and describe music performances demonstrating appropriate audience be

  • 3.2CR3

    Compose using known rhythms, sixteenth notes, and dotted half notes in simple duple, triple, and quadruple meters using phrase and largeform, standard and iconic notation, and a variety of sound sources.

  • 3.2PE3

    Read and perform do or la extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef in different tonal centers.

  • 3.2RE3

    Identify families of instruments aurally and visually.

  • 3.3CO3

    Compare and contrast the use of similarly named elements in music and other subject areas.

  • 3.3CR3

    Compose using extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef in a variety of tonal centers.

  • 3.3PE3

    Sing (using head voice and appropriate posture) and move to music of various styles, composers, and cultures with accurate pitch and rhythm.

  • 3.3RE3

    Distinguish elements of music using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.

  • 3.4PE3

    Play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others while demonstrating consistently proper techniques.

  • 3.4RE3

    Interpret music through movement, dance, drama, and visual art.

  • 3.5PE3

    Demonstrate rounds and canons.

  • 3.5RE3

    Explain personal preferences for musical selections using selected music vocabulary.

  • 3.6PE3

    Maintain two or more simple, four- and eight-beat rhythmic ostinati against at least one separate part.

  • 3.6RE3

    Follow and respond to grade-appropriate cues of a conductor.

  • 3.7RE3

    Explore how music is celebrated and supported within the community.

  • 3.8RE3

    Identify and respond to simple music forms.

  • 4.1CO4

    Discuss the connection between emotion and music in selected musical works using elements of music.

  • 4.1CR4

    Improvise rhythms and melodies with attention to cadences and tonal centers within a variety of song forms using a variety of sound sources.

  • 4.1PE4

    Read and perform using known rhythms, whole notes, dotted notes, sixteenth-note combinations, or syncopated rhythms in a variety of meters.

  • 4.1RE4

    Discuss the lives and times of composers from various historical periods and cultures.

  • 4.2CO4

    Attend and reflect on music performances demonstrating appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • 4.2CR4

    Compose using known rhythms, whole notes, dotted notes, sixteenth-note combinations, or syncopated rhythms in a variety of meters using phrase and large form, standard and iconic notation, and a variety of sound sources.

  • 4.2PE4

    Read and perform extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef using do or la tonal centers.

  • 4.2RE4

    Classify instruments by their families.

  • 4.3CO4

    Discuss how the elements and subject matter of music connect with other subject areas.

  • 4.3CR4

    Compose extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef using do or la tonal centers.

  • 4.3PE4

    Sing (using head voice and appropriate posture) and move to music of various styles, composers, and cultures with accurate pitch, rhythm, and expressive qualities.

  • 4.3RE4

    Compare and contrast elements of music using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.

  • 4.4PE4

    Play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others while demonstrating various proper techniques.

  • 4.4RE4

    Compare interpretations of the same piece of music as it occurs in movement, dance, drama, or visual art.

  • 4.5PE4

    Demonstrate partner songs and descants.

  • 4.5RE4

    Explain personal preferences for musical selections using music vocabulary.

  • 4.6PE4

    Maintain independent, simple, four- and eight-beat rhythmic stinato against at least two separate parts.

  • 4.6RE4

    Follow and respond to grade-appropriate cues of a conductor.

  • 4.7RE4

    Explore music created by Ohio artists and determine how their works were influenced by their Ohio roots.

  • 4.8RE4

    Identify and respond to simple music forms (verse/refrain, rondo).

  • 5.1CO5

    Describe the connection between emotion and music in selected musical works using elements of music.

  • 5.1CR5

    Improvise variations on a given rhythm or melody using a variety of sound sources.

  • 5.1PE5

    Read and perform using known rhythms, dotted and sixteenth-note combinations, and syncopated rhythms in a variety of meters.

  • 5.1RE5

    Compare and contrast music of various styles, composers, periods, and cultures.

  • 5.2CO5

    Attend and analyze music performances demonstrating appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • 5.2CR5

    Compose using known rhythms, whole notes, dotted notes, sixteenth-note combinations, or syncopated rhythms in a variety of meters using phrase and large form, standard and iconic notation, and a variety of sound sources.

  • 5.2PE5

    Read and perform extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef in do or la pentatonic, diatonic scales and modes using a system.

  • 5.2RE5

    Explore and identify modern musical instruments and groupings in various cultures.

  • 5.3CO5

    Explain how the elements and subject matter of music connect with other subject areas.

  • 5.3CR5

    Compose extended pentatonic melodies and diatonic scales in treble clef using do or la tonal centers.

  • 5.3PE5

    Sing a varied repertoire with accurate rhythm and pitch, appropriate expressive qualities, good posture, and breath control.

  • 5.3RE5

    Compare and contrast elements of music, including tonality, dynamics, tempo, and meter, using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.

  • 5.4PE5

    Play a variety of classroom instruments, alone and with others while demonstrating proper and studentcreated techniques.

  • 5.4RE5

    Perform and defend interpretations of music via dance, drama, and visual art using appropriate vocabulary.

  • 5.5PE5

    Differentiate between melody and harmony while performing in chordal harmony.

  • 5.5RE5

    Justify personal preferences for certain musical pieces, performances, composers, and musical genres both orally and in writing.

  • 5.6PE5

    Maintain independent, simple, four- and eight-beat rhythmic ostinati against at least two separate parts.

  • 5.6RE5

    Follow and respond to grade-appropriate cues of a conductor.

  • 5.7RE5

    Recognize the musical traditions of various cultures.

  • 5.8RE5

    Identify terms related to form (D.C. and D.S. al Fine; D.C. and D.S. al Coda; repeat signs; and first and second endings).

  • 6.1CO6

    Describe the connection between emotion and music in selected musical works using elements of music.

  • 6.1CR6

    Improvise short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic passages for individual instruments.

  • 6.1PE6

    Perform or present four- and eight-beat rhythmic patterns.

  • 6.1RE6

    Identify the major periods, genres, and composers in the development of music of various cultures.

  • 6.2CO6

    Attend and critique live music performances and demonstrate appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

  • 6.2CR6

    Compose rhythm patterns and simple melodies in a variety of meters using standard or iconic notation.

  • 6.2PE6

    Read and perform extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef in do or la pentatonic, diatonic scales, and modes using a system.

  • 6.2RE6

    Explain instrument groupings for different styles of music in various cultures.

  • 6.3CO6

    Explain and apply skills developed in music (critical thinking, collaboration) to other subject areas and/or other art forms.

  • 6.3CR6

    Compose extended pentatonic melodies in treble clef and bass clef in do or la pentatonic and diatonic scales.

  • 6.3PE6

    Perform accurately, independently or collaboratively, with good posture and an appropriate tone quality.

  • 6.3RE6

    Distinguish the use of dynamics, meter, tempo, and tonality in various pieces through active listening.

  • 6.4CO6

    Identify how music is important in everyday life.

  • 6.4PE6

    Identify the performers’ techniques needed to create accurate rhythm and pitch, appropriate expressive qualities, good posture, and breath control on multiple instruments.

  • 6.4RE6

    Create interpretations of music via dance, drama, and visual art using appropriate vocabulary.

  • 6.5CO6

    Identify different careers in music.

  • 6.5PE6

    Describe the rhythm, pitch, and expression of varied vocal performances.

  • 6.5RE6

    Identify criteria based on elements of music to support personal preferences for specific music works.

  • 6.6CO6

    Identify the principles of intellectual property.

  • 6.6PE6

    Maintain simple, four- and eight-beat rhythmic ostinati with a recorded accompaniment.

  • 6.6RE6

    Follow and respond to grade-appropriate cues of a conductor.

  • 6.7CO6

    Identify different functions and uses of music in American and other cultures.

  • 6.7RE6

    Compare and discuss the musical traditions of various cultures.

  • 6.8RE6

    Describe distinguishing characteristics of music forms (verse/refrain, AB, ABA, rondo, canon, theme, and variation) from various cultures and historical periods.

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