Unit Plan 27 (Grade 1 Music): Group Performance
Grade 1 ensemble performance unit focused on singing/playing together with strong start-stop cues, performance decorum, and respectful audience behavior while performing for a specific purpose (welcome/thank-you/celebration), aligned to MU:Pr6.1.1a–b.
Focus: Perform together as a group with focus, cooperation, and appropriate audience behavior, using voices and/or classroom instruments for a clear purpose.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Music (Performing • Ensemble Skills)
Total Unit Duration: 2–4 sessions (2+ weeks), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students build skills for performing together as a class or small ensemble. They practice starting and stopping as a group, following teacher cues, and keeping their bodies and voices focused during performances. Through simple songs or chants, students learn how to show performance decorum (posture, eyes on the leader, quiet hands) and how to perform for a purpose (e.g., a welcome song, a thank-you song). They also learn what it means to be a respectful audience member for classmates.
Essential Questions
- What does it look and sound like when we perform together as a group?
- How do we show that we are focused and ready to perform?
- Why is it important to perform in a way that fits the audience and purpose?
- How can we support our classmates as performers and as an audience?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Perform simple songs or chants with the class, starting and stopping together on the teacher’s cue.
- Show appropriate performance decorum (posture, eyes on leader, quiet bodies) during performances.
- Perform music for a specific classroom purpose (e.g., greeting, transition, celebration) with expression.
- Demonstrate audience behavior that fits the performance (listening, not talking, clapping at the right time).
- With limited guidance, reflect on how well they stayed focused and performed for the audience and purpose.
Standards Alignment — Grade 1 Music (NAfME-Aligned)
- MU:Pr6.1.1a — With limited guidance, perform music for a specific purpose with expression.
- Example: Singing a welcome song with confident voices and gestures.
- MU:Pr6.1.1b — Perform appropriately for the audience and purpose.
- Example: Adjusting volume and posture when performing for guests.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can perform a song or chant with my class, starting and stopping together.
- I can show I am ready to perform with good posture, quiet hands, and eyes on the teacher.
- I can adjust my voice (loud/soft, clear speaking or singing) to match the purpose of the song.
- I can behave like a good audience member when others perform.
- I can explain one thing I did well and one thing I can improve when performing with my group.