Unit Plan 18 (Grade 5 Music): Melodic Performance

Focus: Perform melodic works (songs or short instrumental pieces) with accurate pitch and rhythm, clear expression, and appropriate style, while demonstrating performance decorum and audience etiquette.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Music (General • Performing)

Total Unit Duration: 1 required session (core), plus up to 2 optional extension sessions; 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students bring together their melodic skills to perform short melodic works with accuracy and expressive style. They practice singing or playing with steady rhythm, correct pitch, and clear phrasing, and they learn how dynamics, tempo, and articulation help communicate the mood of the music. Students also focus on performance decorum—how to stand, how to enter and exit, and how to behave as both performers and audience members—so that the performance feels respectful and professional.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to perform melodic music with accuracy, expression, and style?
• How do dynamics, tempo, and articulation help us communicate the emotion or purpose of a piece?
• Why are performance decorum and audience etiquette important for both performers and listeners?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform a short melodic work (voice and/or instruments) with accurate pitch and rhythm appropriate for Grade 5 (MU:Pr6.1.5a).
2. Demonstrate expressive qualities (dynamics, tempo, articulation, phrasing) that match the style and mood of the music (MU:Pr6.1.5a).
3. Show appropriate performance decorum as performers (entering/exiting, posture, focus) and audience etiquette as listeners (attentive, respectful, appropriate response) (MU:Pr6.1.5b).
4. Use a simple performance rubric to self-assess and set one goal for improving accuracy or expression (MU:Pr6.1.5a).
5. Explain at least one expressive choice and one decorum behavior that made the performance stronger (MU:Pr6.1.5a, MU:Pr6.1.5b).

Standards Alignment — Grade 5 Music (NAfME-Aligned)

• MU:Pr6.1.5a — Perform music, alone or with others, with expression, technical accuracy, and appropriate interpretation.
  • Example: Performing an ensemble piece with correct rhythm, pitch, and style.
• MU:Pr6.1.5b — Demonstrate performance decorum and audience etiquette appropriate for the context, venue, and genre.
  • Example: Modeling appropriate concert behavior as performer and listener.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can perform a melodic piece with mostly accurate pitch and steady rhythm.
• I can use dynamics, tempo, and articulation to show the mood or style of the music.
• I can show good performance decorum (standing ready, watching the teacher/conductor, staying focused) and good audience etiquette (listening quietly, clapping appropriately).
• I can use a performance rubric to rate my accuracy and expression and name one improvement goal.
• I can explain at least one musical choice (like getting louder or slowing down) and how it helped the performance.