Unit Plan 33 (Grade 2 Music): Expressing Music Opinions
Grade 2 music unit where students share music opinions using simple vocabulary and choose songs that best fit classroom purposes like calm work or movement.
Focus: Share musical opinions and preferences using simple music vocabulary and explain which pieces fit specific purposes (e.g., calm work time, movement break).
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: Music (Responding • Evaluating • Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–3 sessions (3+ weeks), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students listen to short music examples and practice sharing what they like and dislike using basic music words like fast/slow, loud/soft, happy/sad, calm/energetic. They learn that it is okay for opinions to be different, as long as they can explain their reasons. Students also think about purpose—which songs fit certain classroom activities (reading, clean-up, movement break, celebration) and why. The goal is to help students share thoughtful opinions about music instead of just saying “I like it” or “I don’t like it.”
Essential Questions
- How can we use music words to explain what we like or don’t like about a piece of music?
- How do our feelings and experiences affect which music we choose for different purposes?
- What makes one song a better choice than another for a specific classroom activity (reading, dancing, lining up)?
- How can we share music opinions respectfully when others disagree with us?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Listen to short music examples and state a clear preference (“I like…” / “I don’t like…”) for each.
- Use music vocabulary (fast/slow, loud/soft, high/low, calm/energetic, happy/sad) to explain their opinions.
- Decide which piece of music is best for a specific purpose (e.g., clean-up, quiet work, celebration) and give at least one reason.
- Respectfully listen to classmates’ opinions, even when they are different.
- Complete a simple evaluation task choosing music for a classroom routine and explaining why it fits.
Standards Alignment — Grade 2 Music (NAfME-Aligned)
- MU:Re9.1.2a — Apply personal and expressive preferences in the evaluation of music for specific purposes.
- Example: Explaining which song best fits a classroom routine.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can say which music I like best and why.
- I can use music words (fast, slow, loud, soft, calm, exciting) to explain my opinion.
- I can choose a piece of music that fits a purpose (like reading time or movement break) and give a reason.
- I can listen to someone else’s opinion and respect it, even if I don’t agree.