Unit Plan 15 (Grade 6 Band): Revising Music
Grade 6 band unit revising student-created music using feedback to improve accuracy, playability, and clarity, with before-and-after reflection.
Focus: Revise created musical ideas to improve accuracy and playability using teacher and peer feedback, and clearly describe changes made.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Band (Creating • Refining • Performing)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students learn that good musicians don’t just create music—they revise it to make it clearer and more playable. Using short ideas they have already notated (from previous creating/notation units) or teacher-provided examples, students practice spotting problems (awkward rhythms, tricky leaps, unclear dynamics) and make targeted changes to improve accuracy and playability. They learn to use feedback from themselves, peers, and the teacher, and to explain how their changes made the music better. By the end of the week, each student will have a “before and after” version of a musical idea and a short reflection on their revision process.
Essential Questions
- Why is revising music an important part of being a composer and performer?
- How can I use feedback and criteria to improve the accuracy and playability of my musical ideas?
- What kinds of changes (rhythm, pitch, range, articulation, dynamics) make music easier and more satisfying to perform?
- How can I clearly describe the revisions I made and why I made them?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use teacher and peer feedback to identify strengths and problem spots in a short, created musical idea.
- Revise rhythms to improve accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the time signature.
- Revise pitches and ranges to make the idea more playable on their instrument while keeping its musical character.
- Adjust dynamics and articulation to support clearer expression and easier performance.
- Describe revisions in writing or orally, explaining what was changed and why those changes improved accuracy and playability.
Standards Alignment — 6th Grade Band (custom, NAfME-style)
- BD:Cr3.6a — Revise created musical ideas using teacher or peer feedback to improve accuracy and playability, describing changes made.
- Example: Students revise a rhythm that was too difficult to perform cleanly and explain how they simplified it.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can look at my music and use feedback to find places that are hard to read or play.
- I can change rhythms or pitches so they still sound like my idea but are more accurate and playable.
- I can adjust dynamics and articulation to make my intentions clearer for performers.
- I can show a before and after version of my music and explain what I changed and why.
- I can use a checklist or criteria to decide when my revised idea is “ready” to share.