Unit Plan 16 (Grade 5 Orchestra): Creating Simple Melodies

Focus: Create short melodies using repeated notes and stepwise motion on open strings and first-finger notes.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Orchestra (Creativity • Notation • Performance)

Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30-minute sessions

I. Introduction

Students explore how simple melodies are built from repeated notes, stepwise motion, and clear endings. Through echo patterns, “fill-in-the-blank” tunes, and short composition challenges, they learn how to organize sounds so that a melody starts, goes somewhere, and feels finished. They connect what they hear and play to what they write, gradually moving from copying teacher examples to creating their own 4-measure melodies using open strings and first-finger notes.

Essential Questions

• What makes a group of notes sound like a melody instead of random sounds?
• How can repetition and stepwise motion help a melody sound clear and singable?
• How do we show our melodic ideas on the page so others can play or understand them?
• How can I use my instrument skills to create a simple melody that feels complete?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe what a melody is and identify examples of repetition and stepwise motion in simple tunes.
2. Improvise and echo short melodic ideas on open strings and first-finger notes using a steady beat.
3. Create a 4-measure melody that uses repeated notes and stepwise motion, ending on a “home” note.
4. Notate their melody with correct rhythms and pitch placement on the staff (with support as needed).
5. Perform their melody and briefly explain how they used repetition and stepwise motion to make it clear.

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

• OR:Cr1.5b — Create a short string melody or rhythmic pattern using repeated notes, stepwise motion, and a limited pitch set.
  • Example: Students compose a 4-measure melody using open strings and first finger.

Success Criteria — Student-Friendly Language

• I can explain what a melody is and find parts where notes repeat or move step by step.
• I can make up a short melody on my instrument using open strings and first-finger notes.
• I can write my melody down (with help if needed) so someone else could read and play it.
• I can perform my melody with a steady beat and a clear ending.
• I can tell how I used repetition and stepwise motion in my melody.