Unit Plan 20 (Grade 5 Orchestra): Sharing Musical Ideas
Grade 5 orchestra unit where students perform original melodies and explain bow speed, dynamics, and tempo choices to communicate musical ideas.
Focus: Perform created music and explain musical choices.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Orchestra (Performance • Creativity • Reflection)
Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30-minute sessions
I. Introduction
Students bring together their beginning composing and playing skills by preparing to share a short, student-created melody with the class. They choose how to use bow speed, dynamics (loud/soft), and tempo (fast/slow) so that their music matches a simple idea or feeling (for example, calm, excited, sneaky). Students practice performing with steady beat and clear tone, then explain their choices using basic musical vocabulary and listen respectfully as audience members and peer reviewers.
Essential Questions
- How can I share my own musical ideas clearly with an audience?
- How do choices like bow speed, dynamics, and tempo change how my music feels?
- What does it mean to explain my musical choices using musician words?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Perform a short, student-created melody with steady beat, clear tone, and mostly accurate rhythm.
- Use bow speed, dynamics, and/or tempo to communicate a simple musical idea (for example, calm vs. excited).
- Describe at least two musical choices they made (bow speed, loud/soft, fast/slow) and why they made them.
- Listen respectfully to peers’ performances and give simple feedback using musical vocabulary.
- Complete a brief “Sharing My Musical Idea” reflection explaining how their choices matched their intent.
Standards Alignment — Grade 5 Orchestra (custom, NAfME-style)
- OR:Cr3.5b — Share a final musical creation and describe how bow speed, dynamics, or tempo communicate the musical idea.
- Example: Students perform their melody and explain why they used faster bow speed for louder sound.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can perform my own melody with a steady beat and clear tone.
- I can show loud/soft and faster/slower in my playing to match a feeling or idea.
- I can explain at least two musical choices I made using musician words.
- I can listen to others’ music and say one thing they did well and one question or wonder I have.