Unit Plan 16 (Grade 5 Band): Creating Simple Melodies
Grade 5 band students create simple melodies using limited notes, repeated patterns, and stepwise motion, composing and performing short phrases with a clear home note.
Focus: Create short melodies using limited notes, repeated patterns, and mostly stepwise motion in a comfortable range.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Band (Performing • Creating • Responding • Connecting)
Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks (2–5 sessions), 30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students build on their rhythm and first-note skills by learning how to create simple melodies. Using a small set of notes they can already play, they explore repeating patterns (motives), stepwise motion, and clear musical phrases that start and end on a “home note.” Through guided examples, call-and-response, and short composition tasks, students discover that memorable melodies often use repetition, contrast, and a clear sense of beginning and ending.
Essential Questions
- What makes a melody sound like it belongs together instead of just random notes?
- How can we use a few notes and repeated patterns to create a melody that sounds complete?
- Why does mostly stepwise motion help our melodies feel smooth and easier to play?
- How can I show my musical ideas clearly when I create and perform my own melody?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Describe what a melody is and identify repeated patterns (motives) and stepwise motion in simple examples.
- Use a limited note bank (2–5 notes) to create a 4-measure melodic idea that mostly moves by step and includes repetition.
- Organize their melodic idea into a clear phrase that starts and ends on a “home note” and fits a steady beat.
- Perform their created melody on their instrument with mostly accurate notes, steady beat, and appropriate tone.
- Reflect on and revise their melody (verbally or in writing), explaining at least one musical choice (e.g., where they used repetition or stepwise motion).
Standards Alignment — Grade 5 Band (custom, NAfME-style)
- BD:Cr1.5b — Create a short instrumental melody or rhythm pattern using repeating motives and stepwise motion within a comfortable range.
- Example: Students compose a 4-measure melody using three notes and a repeated rhythm.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can explain what a melody is and point out repeated patterns and stepwise motion in music.
- I can create a short melody using a few notes I know, mostly moving by step and using at least one repeated pattern.
- I can make my melody start and end on a home note and fit a steady beat.
- I can play my melody on my instrument with mostly correct notes and a clear sound.
- I can talk or write about one musical choice I made (like where I used repetition or how I ended my melody).