Unit Plan 9 (Grade 1 Music): Sharing Music
Grade 1 music unit where students perform songs and chants for classmates with confident voices, clear expression, and respectful performer and audience behavior.
Focus: Perform songs and chants for classmates with appropriate expression and performance 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, first graders prepare and share songs and chants with their classmates. They practice singing and chanting with confident voices, clear words, and simple expressive choices such as loud/soft and fast/slow where appropriate. Students also learn how to behave as performers (good posture, watching the teacher, starting and stopping together) and as audience members (listening quietly, clapping at the end). By the end, each student participates in a short “sharing time” performance for their peers.
Essential Questions
- How can I perform songs and chants with a confident voice and clear expression?
- What does it mean to perform for a specific purpose, such as welcoming, celebrating, or saying goodbye?
- How should I behave when I am a performer? How should I behave when I am an audience member?
- How does sharing music with others help our classroom community feel more connected?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- With limited guidance, perform familiar songs and chants using a clear, expressive voice.
- Describe the purpose of a song or chant (e.g., welcome, celebration, transition, calm-down).
- Demonstrate performance behaviors: good posture, watching the teacher, starting and stopping together.
- Demonstrate audience behaviors: listening quietly, sitting safely, and clapping at the appropriate time.
- Participate in a short class sharing performance, either alone or with a group, for classmates.
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 sing or chant with a clear, confident voice for my classmates.
- I can tell what my song or chant is for (welcome, celebration, quiet time, etc.).
- I can show good performance behavior: standing or sitting tall, watching the teacher, starting and stopping together.
- I can show good audience behavior: listening quietly and clapping at the end.
- I can say one way I felt when I shared music with my class.