Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 12 (Grade 3 Music): Major & Minor Sounds

Grade 3 music unit: students create major/minor melodies, then use listening, tempo, and dynamics to shape mood and explain expressive intent.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 11 (Grade 3 Music): Melody Patterns

Grade 3 music unit where students read and perform short melodic phrases using iconic and standard notation, connecting rhythm + pitch to singing and instruments.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 10 (Grade 3 Music): High, Low & Melodic Direction

Grade 3 music unit exploring high/low pitch and melodic contour through singing, movement, and listening, linking melody shape to song form in A/B sections.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 9 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Performance

Grade 3 rhythm performance unit: students perform with accuracy and expression while practicing stage presence, performance decorum, and respectful audience etiquette.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 8 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Ensemble Playing

Grade 3 rhythm ensemble unit: students rehearse in small groups for accuracy and expression, using cues and strategies to perform together.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 7 (Grade 3 Music): Expressive Rhythm

Grade 3 music unit: students vary dynamics and tempo to transform rhythmic expression, then describe how performers convey expressive intent.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 6 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Notation

Grade 3 music unit where students document original rhythmic ideas using iconic and/or standard notation, creating clear, readable records to perform and share.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 5 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Composition

Grade 3 music unit where students improvise and compose rhythmic ideas for a purpose, then perform with tempo/dynamics to show intent and explain choices.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 4 (Grade 3 Music): Beat vs. Rhythm

Grade 3 music unit teaching beat vs. rhythm through body percussion, movement, and notation, with listening that links musical structure and elements to student responses.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 3 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Patterns Review

Grade 3 music unit where students read, perform, and create simple rhythmic patterns using iconic and standard notation within a clear meter and steady beat.

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Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 2 (Grade 3 Music): Steady Beat & Meter

Grade 3 music unit building steady beat and duple vs. triple meter through movement, listening, and performance, helping students feel beat groupings in 2s and 3s.

Grade 3 Music Units

Unit Plan 1 (Grade 3 Music): Music Routines & Listening

Grade 3 music unit teaching class routines, focused listening, and performance expectations while students connect music to interests and choose songs for different contexts.

Blog

Restorative Practices 101: Reducing Discipline Referrals Through Community Circles

Tiered restorative justice for schools: community circles, restorative chats, and reflection sheets that reduce referrals and rebuild trust.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 36 (Grade 4 Music): Music Sharing Day

Grade 4 Music Sharing Day unit: students perform with accuracy, expression, and interpretation while practicing performance decorum and respectful audience etiquette.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 35 (Grade 4 Music): Preparing to Perform

Grade 4 music unit where students rehearse to refine accuracy and expressive intent, then perform solo and ensemble pieces with confident interpretation and expression.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 34 (Grade 4 Music): Independent Music Centers

Grade 4 music centers unit: students rotate independently to improvise for purpose/context and analyze structure, rhythm, pitch patterns, and form in performance pieces.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 33 (Grade 4 Music): Evaluating Performances

Grade 4 music unit where students use criteria and rubrics to evaluate performances for accuracy, expression, and context, then give TAG feedback and set goals to improve.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 32 (Grade 4 Music): Performing Favorite Music

Grade 4 music unit where students rehearse and perform favorite pieces with technical accuracy, expressive dynamics, and thoughtful interpretation in solo and ensemble settings.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 31 (Grade 4 Music): Music & Imagination

Grade 4 music unit where students improvise music for imaginative movement and play, connecting tempo, dynamics, rhythm, melody, and harmony to purpose, context, and personal interests.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 30 (Grade 4 Music): Organizing Musical Ideas

Grade 4 music unit where students document original rhythm, melody, and simple harmony using notation and recording tools to rehearse, revise, and share compositions.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 29 (Grade 4 Music): Rhythm & Melody Games

Grade 4 music unit using rhythm and melody games to build accurate reading, expressive performance, and ensemble skills with iconic and standard notation.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 28 (Grade 4 Music): Sound & Scene Creation

Grade 4 music unit where students create and perform scene-inspired music, using rhythm, melody, and harmony to express mood and explain creative choices.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 27 (Grade 4 Music): Group Performance

Grade 4 music unit focused on collaborative ensemble performance, building accuracy, expression, teamwork, and respectful stage and audience etiquette.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 26 (Grade 4 Music): Music Storytelling

Grade 4 music unit where students create character/scene music using rhythm, melody, and expression, then explain story connections and personal choices.

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Grade 4 Music Units

Unit Plan 25 (Grade 4 Music): Ensemble Evaluation

Grade 4 music unit where students use criteria and musical evidence to evaluate ensemble performances and explain judgments based on accuracy, expression, and context.