Unit Plan 5 (Grade 3 Music): Rhythm Composition

Focus: Improvise and generate rhythmic ideas for a clear purpose or context, then shape and present selected ideas to express musical intent.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Music (Creating • Improvisation • Rhythm)

Total Unit Duration: 1–3 sessions (3+ weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students move from practicing rhythms to creating their own. They improvise short rhythmic ideas using body percussion, voice, and simple instruments, always tying their ideas to a purpose (e.g., a game signal, a calm-down pattern, a celebration rhythm). Then they select and refine some of these ideas into short compositions, thinking about tempo, dynamics, and pattern choices that match their intent. Students share and describe how their rhythmic choices connect to context and what they want the music to “say” or “do.”

Essential Questions

• How can I improvise my own rhythmic ideas that fit a specific purpose or context?
• What choices (notes, rests, tempo, dynamics) can I make to show my musical intent?
• How do I decide which rhythmic ideas to keep, change, or combine when creating a short composition?
• How can I explain how my rhythmic composition fits its purpose (e.g., for a game, for focus, for celebration)?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Improvise simple rhythmic ideas using body percussion, voice, or instruments in response to prompts about purpose and context.
2. Generate multiple rhythmic patterns within a given meter or number of beats (e.g., 4- or 8-beat ideas).
3. Select and organize one or more rhythmic ideas into a short composition that clearly fits a stated intent (e.g., calm, energetic, attention-getting).
4. Perform their rhythmic composition with appropriate tempo and dynamics that support the intended purpose.
5. Describe in simple language how their musical choices (rhythm, tempo, dynamics) connect to a specific purpose or context.

Standards Alignment — Grade 3 Music (NAfME-Aligned)

• MU:Cr1.1.3a — Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas and describe how they connect to a specific purpose or context (such as personal or social).
  • Example: Creating a rhythm to represent teamwork or a game.
• MU:Cr2.1.3a — Demonstrate selected musical ideas for a simple improvisation or composition to express intent and describe how the ideas connect to a purpose or context.
  • Example: Explaining why a slow tempo was chosen for a calm piece.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can improvise different rhythm ideas when my teacher gives me a purpose or situation.
• I can choose a purpose (like a game, calm moment, or celebration) and create a rhythm that fits it.
• I can organize my favorite rhythmic ideas into a short composition that fits in a set number of beats.
• I can perform my rhythm composition with a tempo and dynamics that match my intent.
• I can explain how my rhythm and performance choices connect to the purpose or context I chose.