Unit Plan 15 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Revising Vocal Music
Grade 7 choir unit on revising created vocal music using criteria and feedback to improve accuracy, singability, and expressive intent through documented changes.
Focus: Refine created vocal music using clear criteria (accuracy, singability, expressive intent), applying feedback and documenting revisions with explanations of changes.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Vocal Music (Choir • Composition • Musicianship)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students learn that strong musicians don’t just create music—they revise it. Using a previously composed melody (from an earlier unit or a new short creation), students apply criteria for accuracy, singability, and expressive intent to improve their work. Through peer and teacher feedback, they make specific revisions to pitch, rhythm, range, breath placement, and expression. By the end of the week, each student will have a clear “before and after” version of their piece and a short reflection explaining how their revisions made the music stronger.
Essential Questions
- Why is revision an important part of creating vocal music?
- How can we use criteria and feedback to make a melody more accurate, singable, and expressive?
- What kinds of changes (pitch, rhythm, range, phrasing, dynamics) improve singability for real singers?
- How does revising our own music change the way we think about the pieces we rehearse and perform in choir?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify strengths and problems in a drafted vocal melody or short piece using criteria for accuracy, singability, and expressive intent.
- Use peer and teacher feedback to make targeted revisions to pitches, rhythms, range, and breath placement.
- Adjust musical elements (dynamics, phrasing, articulation) to better communicate an expressive goal.
- Document revisions by clearly marking changes on notation (or in a brief revision log) and updating recordings if applicable.
- Explain in writing or verbally why specific revisions were made and how they improve the piece.
- Reflect on what they learned about themselves as composers and performers through the revision process.
Standards Alignment — Grade 7 Vocal Music (custom, NAfME-style)
- VM:Cr3.7a — Refine created vocal music using feedback and criteria (accuracy, singability, expressive intent), documenting revisions and explaining changes.
- Example: Students revise a melody for better breath placement and explain the revision decision.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use criteria to find what is working and what needs improvement in my music.
- I can revise my melody so that it is more accurate (pitches and rhythms match what I intend).
- I can adjust range, leaps, and breath placement so my piece is more singable.
- I can change dynamics, phrasing, or articulation to better show my expressive intent.
- I can show and explain the before and after versions of my music and describe why my revisions helped.