Unit Plan 5 (Grade 5 Band): Rhythm & Steady Beat
Grade 5 band unit building steady beat and rhythm through counting, movement, and playing while identifying beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and tempo.
Focus: Perform simple rhythms with a steady beat using counting, body percussion, and instrument playing, while identifying basic musical elements such as beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and tempo in band music.
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 makes band music feel steady and together: beat and rhythm. They use clapping, stepping, chanting, and simple instrument patterns to perform quarter-note and quarter-rest rhythms in time with a steady beat. Students also listen to short band excerpts to identify beat vs. rhythm, simple pitch changes, and basic dynamics and tempo, building the listening vocabulary they will need as beginning band musicians.
Essential Questions
- What is the difference between beat and rhythm, and why do band members need both?
- How can counting and movement help us keep a steady beat while performing rhythms?
- How do pitch, dynamics, and tempo work together to shape the feeling of band music?
- How does practicing simple rhythms with steady beat help us play more confidently with the ensemble?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Keep a steady beat using body percussion (clapping, patting, stepping) while counting aloud in 4-beat measures.
- Read and perform simple rhythm patterns (quarter notes and quarter rests, with occasional half notes) from standard notation at a steady tempo.
- Perform short 4-measure rhythm lines using body percussion or simple instrument hits, staying with the beat and counting out loud or silently.
- Identify basic musical elements (beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo) in beginning band music and describe what they notice in simple terms.
- Create and perform a short “rhythm chant” or pattern that uses simple notation and shows clear steady beat, then explain which musical elements are present.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade Band (custom, NAfME-style)
- BD:Pr4.5b — Read and perform beginning band music using standard notation with simple rhythms, basic note patterns, and steady tempo.
- Example: Students perform a 4-measure line with quarter notes, rests, and stepwise motion.
- BD:Re7.5a — Identify basic musical elements (beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo) in band music.
- Example: Students identify whether a piece is fast or slow and loud or soft.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can keep a steady beat with my hands, feet, or instrument while counting 1–2–3–4.
- I can read and clap simple rhythms with quarter notes and quarter rests from the music.
- I can perform a 4-measure rhythm line at a steady tempo without speeding up or slowing down.
- I can listen to band music and name basic elements like beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and tempo.
- I can create and perform a short rhythm pattern and explain which musical elements I used.