Rationale:
Scat for Cats is a program designed to introduce principles of musical development to K-12th grade students. Public school education normally includes some singing and movement in music education, but tends to lack any element of improvisation or creative expression. Scat for Cats addresses the need for extemporaneous musical expression in children. Because the human voice is the most natural instrument, it can be used extensively in music education. Scat is a vocal forum for the development of musical definition, musical form and musical creativity. Voice is direct access to music. The ability to develop the musical voice is the first step to developing the musical person.

National Music Education Standards:
Performing, creating and responding to music are the fundamental music processes in which humans engage. Students, particularly in grades K-6, learn by doing. Singing, playing instruments, moving to music and creating music enable them to acquire musical skills and knowledge that can be developed in no other way.

Content Standard:
Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

Achievement Standard:
Students

1. improvise "answers" in the same style to given rhythmic and melodic phrases
2. improvise short songs and instrumental pieces, using a variety of sound sources, including traditional sounds, nontraditional sounds available in the classroom, body sounds and sounds produced by electronic means
3. identify the sounds of a variety of instruments, including many orchestra and band instruments
4. respond through purposeful movement to selected prominent music characteristics or to specific music events while listening to music