Unit Plan 20 (Grade 5 Band): Sharing Music Ideas

Focus: Perform created music and explain simple musical choices that show mood or character.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Band (Ensemble • Performing • Creating/Responding)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks (2–5 sessions), 30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students bring together their beginning creating and performing skills by preparing a short, student-made melody or rhythm to share with the class. They practice playing with steady beat, clear tone, and basic tempo and dynamic changes that match a chosen mood or idea. Students also learn to briefly explain their musical choices in simple language and to give kind, specific TAG feedback to classmates.

Essential Questions

• How can I share my own musical ideas in a way that others can hear and understand?
• How do tempo (fast/slow) and dynamics (loud/soft) help show a mood or story in my music?
• What does it mean to explain my musical choices so an audience knows what I was trying to communicate?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Prepare a short, student-created melody or rhythm pattern for performance with mostly accurate notes and steady beat.
2. Perform their music with clear tone, steady tempo, and at least one planned dynamic or tempo change to show a mood or idea.
3. Give a short verbal explanation of at least two musical choices (e.g., tempo, dynamics, articulation) and how they match the intended mood.
4. Use a simple TAG feedback structure (Tell–Ask–Give) to give and receive kind, specific comments about performances.
5. Create a brief performance reflection card or note that captures their idea, musical choices, and one goal for next time.

Standards Alignment — Grade 5 Band (custom, NAfME-style)

• BD:Cr3.5b — Share a final musical creation and describe how tempo and dynamics help communicate the idea.
  • Example: Students perform their melody and explain why they chose forte for the ending.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can perform my own short piece with mostly correct notes and a steady beat.
• I can use tempo and dynamics to show a mood (e.g., calm, excited, sneaky) in my music.
• I can explain at least two musical choices I made and how they match my idea.
• I can give kind, specific feedback to classmates using TAG (Tell–Ask–Give).