All of my public education (including ex-pat British school) included:
Singing:
Instruments:
Sqaure Dances:
Folk Dance:
Round Dance:

The foundation came through the six book series Music for Living
Copyright 1956 by Silver Burdett Company. and was accompanied with a full record set.

EVERY Classroom sang. Not for performance but pleasure.

In the introduction (very condenced) "Point of View: what music can do for children"
1. Pleasure
2. Emotinal release and satisfaction
3. Creative self-expression
4. Self-fulfilment and success
5. Discipline of achievement
6. Sharing and cooperating with others
7. Enrichment for all the years to come
8. Iluminate and interpret a wide range of experiences

The songs and dance connected to the curriculum of history, and social studies, creative art. Every song had a historical background and the teacher's editions are a treasure trove of information.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

I inwardly weep for what some of you have missed forever..