Unit Plan 4 (Grade 6 Orchestra): Reading Upgrade—Rhythms & Slurs
Grade 6 orchestra unit builds rhythm-reading and slur skills by practicing eighth-note patterns, simple ties/dots, and legato bowing in standard notation with steady metronome tempo, helping students transfer clapping and counting into accurate, together playing.
Focus: Read and perform expanded rhythms and simple slur patterns in standard notation while maintaining a steady tempo.
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: Orchestra (Reading Skills • Rhythm • Articulation)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, Grade 6 orchestra students strengthen their music reading by working with more complex rhythms and slur patterns. Through clapping, saying rhythms, bowing open strings, and playing simple finger patterns, they connect what they see on the page to what they play. Students practice keeping a steady pulse with a metronome and learn how slurs are shown in notation and felt in the bow arm. By the end of the week, they are more confident reading and performing music that includes eighth-note patterns, simple ties, and slurred bowings.
Essential Questions
- How does understanding rhythm notation help me stay with the steady beat while I play?
- What do slurs look like in standard notation, and how do they change the way I use my bow?
- How can clapping, counting, and saying rhythms help me read and play more accurately?
- What strategies can I use when I see a new rhythm or slur pattern in my music?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Read and clap expanded rhythms (including common eighth-note patterns and simple ties/dots) from standard notation.
- Perform these rhythms on open strings with a steady tempo using appropriate bow direction changes.
- Identify slur markings in written music and demonstrate basic slur bowings on open strings and simple finger patterns.
- Apply reading skills to a short ensemble excerpt that includes expanded rhythms and slurs, staying together with the group.
- Use at least one reading strategy (counting, subdivision, clapping first, isolating measures) when learning new passages.
Standards Alignment — Grade 6 Orchestra (custom, NAfME-style)
- OR:Pr4.6b — Read and perform orchestra music using standard notation, including expanded rhythms, key signatures, and finger patterns, maintaining steady tempo.
- Example: Students perform a piece with eighth-note patterns and simple slurs accurately.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can clap and count new rhythms (including eighth notes and simple ties) from the page.
- I can play those rhythms on my instrument in time with a steady beat or metronome.
- I can spot slurs in my music and use smooth bowing to connect the notes.
- I can read and perform a short piece that includes expanded rhythms and slurs without getting lost.
- I can describe at least one strategy that helps me when I see a rhythm or slur pattern that is new or tricky.