Unit Plan 13 (Grade 6 Band): Organizing Musical Ideas

Focus: Arrange musical ideas (motives and short melodies) into AB or call-and-response form with a clear beginning and ending.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Band (Creating • Structuring • Performing)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students learn how to organize their musical ideas into short pieces with clear structure. Building on their work with melodies and rhythmic motives, they arrange those ideas into AB form (two contrasting sections) or call-and-response form (musical conversation). Students explore how changing rhythm, register, dynamics, or articulation can create contrast, and how strong beginnings and endings help their music feel complete. By the end of the week, each student will create a short piece that clearly shows AB or call-and-response organization and can be performed by themselves or classmates.

Essential Questions

• How does organizing musical ideas into AB or call-and-response form help music make more sense to listeners?
• What does it mean for two sections to contrast but still belong to the same piece?
• How can I use rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and articulation to create a clear beginning, middle, and ending in my music?
• Why is it important for musicians to understand and use musical form when they create and perform band music?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify AB form and call-and-response structure in short musical examples.
2. Organize existing motives and melodies into a short piece with a clear A section and B section, or a call and response.
3. Create contrast between sections by changing at least one musical element (rhythm, pitch direction, dynamics, articulation, or register).
4. Notate their organized piece using standard notation, including form labels (A, B, call, response).
5. Perform or have peers perform their piece, and explain how its form creates clarity and interest.

Standards Alignment — 6th Grade Band (custom, NAfME-style)

• BD:Cr2.6a — Organize selected musical ideas into a short piece or section with a clear beginning and ending (such as call-and-response or AB form).
  • Example: Students arrange a melody into AB form and label where the contrast occurs.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can hear and label whether a short piece is in AB form or call-and-response form.
• I can organize my melodies and motives into two clear sections that sound different but still connected.
• I can show contrast by changing at least one musical element (rhythm, pitch, dynamics, articulation, or range) between sections.
• I can write my piece using standard notation and label the form (A/B or call/response).
• I can explain how the form and contrast make my piece feel clear and complete.