Unit Plan 36 (Grade 1 Music): Music Sharing Day
Grade 1 music unit culminating in a “Music Sharing Day,” where students perform familiar songs for classmates with confident voices, expressive choices, and respectful audience/performer etiquette while building classroom music community.
Focus: Perform familiar music for classmates with confidence, expression, and appropriate audience/performer behavior.
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: Music (Performing • Responding • Community)
Total Unit Duration: 2–4 sessions (2+ weeks), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students celebrate their growth by sharing music with classmates in an informal performance setting. They practice performing with confident bodies and voices, showing expression that matches the song’s purpose, and demonstrating appropriate audience etiquette when others perform. Students also reflect on how it feels to perform and to listen respectfully, building a sense of music community in the classroom.
Essential Questions
- How do I show that I am ready to perform music for others?
- What does it mean to perform with expression and for a specific purpose?
- How should I behave as an audience member when my classmates are performing?
- How does sharing music with others help us feel more like a community?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Perform one or more familiar pieces with appropriate expression for a classroom purpose (welcome, celebration, farewell, etc.).
- Demonstrate basic performance behaviors: focused posture, quiet hands, watching the teacher, and starting/ending together.
- Show audience etiquette by listening quietly, responding appropriately, and encouraging classmates.
- Describe in simple language why they chose or performed a piece (its purpose or feeling).
- Reflect on how it felt to share music and how they supported their classmates as listeners.
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 for my class with confident voice and body.
- I can show expression that matches what the song is about (calm, excited, strong, gentle).
- I can be a respectful audience member when others perform.
- I can explain why our music fits a purpose (like welcoming, saying thank you, or celebrating).
- I can tell how it felt to share music and how I helped make it special.