Unit Plan 28 (Grade 1 Music): Sound Pictures

Focus: Create musical sounds inspired by images, using voices and instruments to show expressive ideas, then share a final “sound picture” with the class.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Music (Creating • Presenting • Expressive Intent)

Total Unit Duration: 2–4 sessions (2+ weeks), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore how music can paint pictures in our minds. They look at simple images (such as rain, a sunny park, or animals) and experiment with sounds to match what they see. Using voices, body percussion, and classroom instruments, students improvise short sound patterns and combine them into “sound pictures.” Finally, they present a finished sound picture to classmates and explain how their sounds match the image or feeling they chose.

Essential Questions

• How can we use sound to show what we see in a picture or imagine in our minds?
• What kinds of rhythms, pitches, and sounds fit different images (rain, animals, machines, etc.)?
• How do we work together to create, organize, and share a sound picture?
• How can we tell if our music matches the idea or feeling we want to show?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Improvise simple rhythmic and melodic patterns to match a given picture or idea (e.g., bouncy for a ball, smooth for clouds).
2. Select and organize sounds (voice, body percussion, instruments) into a short sound picture with a clear beginning and ending.
3. Perform a final version of their sound picture for classmates, starting and stopping together.
4. With limited guidance, explain how their sounds match the picture or feeling they chose.
5. Listen respectfully to others’ sound pictures and share one positive comment about expressive intent.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 Music (NAfME-Aligned)

• MU:Cr1.1.1a — With limited guidance, improvise rhythmic and melodic patterns and ideas.
  • Example: Students improvise short rhythm patterns using claps or drums.
• MU:Cr3.2.1a — With limited guidance, convey expressive intent for a specific purpose by presenting a final version of personal musical ideas to peers or an informal audience.
  • Example: Performing a completed song created for a classroom celebration.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can make new sounds with my voice and instruments to match a picture or idea.
• I can help my group put our sounds in an order with a clear start and stop.
• I can perform our sound picture for classmates and stay together with my group.
• I can tell how our sounds show the feeling or story in the picture.
• I can listen quietly and say one kind thing about another group’s sound picture.