Unit Plan 7 (Grade 5 Band): Playing Together
Grade 5 band unit building ensemble skills through steady beat, conductor cues, clean starts and stops, and strong rehearsal etiquette.
Focus: Practice starting, stopping, and playing together as an ensemble, with attention to steady beat, conductor cues, and rehearsal etiquette.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Band (Performing • Presenting • Reflecting)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (1–2 weeks), 30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students focus on what it means to play together as a band ensemble. They practice starting and stopping on conductor cues, keeping a steady beat, and tracking rests so that entrances and cutoffs are clean. Students use very simple beginning band lines so they can concentrate on listening, watching, and working as a team, building habits that support all future performances.
Essential Questions
- What does it mean to play together as a band, and why is it important?
- How do steady beat, tracking rests, and watching the conductor help us start and stop as an ensemble?
- What does good rehearsal and performance etiquette look and sound like in beginning band?
- How can each student help the whole ensemble sound more confident and together?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic rehearsal etiquette (ready position, quiet listening, respectful collaboration) and performance etiquette (entering, exiting, and sitting professionally).
- Perform a short unison line with mostly accurate notes, steady beat, and appropriate tone in an ensemble setting.
- Start and stop together on clear conductor cues, including tracking simple rests and counting silently.
- Describe how watching the conductor and listening across the band help everyone play together more successfully.
- Perform a brief “Playing Together Check” piece and reflect on one strength and one goal related to ensemble skills.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade Band (custom, NAfME-style)
- BD:Pr6.5a — Perform beginning band music with accurate notes, steady beat, and appropriate tone in an ensemble setting.
- Example: Students perform a unison class piece together with steady tempo.
- BD:Pr6.5b — Demonstrate appropriate rehearsal and performance etiquette (focus, tracking rests, following conductor cues, respectful collaboration).
- Example: Students sit ready, watch the conductor, and enter together on cue.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can sit and stand with good band posture and show respectful rehearsal behavior.
- I can play a short unison line with mostly correct notes, steady beat, and a clear tone.
- I can start and stop with the band by watching the conductor and counting rests.
- I can explain how watching, listening, and staying focused help us play together.
- I can perform a short ensemble piece and name one thing I did well and one goal for playing together.