Unit Plan 35 (Grade 6 Vocal Music): Preparing to Perform

Focus: Rehearse and refine a final performance piece by responding to teacher feedback to improve pitch, rhythm, diction, and expression.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Vocal Music (Performing • Rehearsing • Refining)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–55 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students focus on getting a final performance piece ready to share with an audience. They learn how to treat rehearsals like musical problem-solving, using teacher feedback to fix issues with pitch, rhythm, diction, and expression. Through repeated run-throughs, sectional work, and reflection, students experience how small adjustments can make a big difference in their confidence and overall performance quality.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean for a choir to be truly “performance ready”?
• How can teacher feedback and careful listening help us improve our singing?
• Why are pitch, rhythm, diction, and expression all important in a final performance?
• How does focused rehearsal change the way we feel when we finally perform for an audience?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Rehearse a selected performance piece with attention to pitch, rhythm, diction, and expression.
2. Respond to teacher feedback by making specific changes in tone, vowel shape, volume, or timing.
3. Identify trouble spots in the music and use rehearsal strategies (slow practice, counting, speaking text) to improve them.
4. Perform the piece in class with appropriate performance etiquette and musical focus.
5. Reflect on how their singing changed from early rehearsals to the final in-class performance.

Standards Alignment — Grade 6 Vocal Music (custom, NAfME-style)

• VM:Pr5.6b — Respond to teacher feedback to improve vocal performance.
  • Example: Students adjust vowel shapes after feedback to improve blend.
• VM:Pr6.6a — Perform vocal music with appropriate pitch, rhythm, diction, and expression.
  • Example: Students perform a unison song with clear diction and dynamic contrast.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can change my singing based on teacher feedback (e.g., fix a vowel, adjust volume, or steady the beat).
• I can perform with mostly accurate pitch and rhythm in our final piece.
• I can use clear diction so the words are understandable.
• I can show expression that matches the mood of the song.
• I can explain how my singing improved from the first rehearsal to the final performance.