Unit Plan 5 (Grade K Music): Finding the Steady Beat
Kindergarten music unit where students move, clap, and play instruments to keep a steady beat, distinguish beat from random sounds, and build listening-and-movement routines using favorite songs and simple “music heartbeat” cues.
Focus: Move, clap, and tap to a steady beat in different songs and activities.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: Music (Beat • Movement • Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 2–4 sessions (2+ weeks), 20–30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students discover the idea of a steady beat—a musical heartbeat that stays the same and keeps the music together. Through whole-body movement, clapping, and simple instrument activities, they practice feeling and keeping the beat. With guidance, students also notice which songs they most enjoy moving to and begin to describe how the beat helps them walk, march, or clap together.
Essential Questions
- What is a steady beat, and how can we feel it in music?
- How can we show the beat with our hands, feet, and whole body?
- How does a steady beat help us move and play together?
- Which songs do we like best for moving to the beat, and why?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- With guidance, move, clap, and tap along with a steady beat in simple songs.
- Show the difference between steady beat and random sounds (no beat) using movement or instruments.
- Clap or tap the beat while listening to short recorded or teacher-sung examples.
- Share which songs they like to move to and explain why they enjoy the beat.
- Keep a steady beat with the class in a short group activity (e.g., beat circle, march).
Standards Alignment — Kindergarten Music (NAfME-Aligned)
- MU:Pr4.1.Ka — With guidance, demonstrate and state personal interest in varied musical selections.
- Example: Choosing a favorite song to sing or move to.
- MU:Re7.2.Ka — With guidance, demonstrate how a specific music concept such as beat or melodic direction is used in music.
- Example: Clapping along to a steady beat in a song.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can move or clap to a steady beat in music.
- I can tell if my sounds match the beat or if they are just random.
- I can show the beat with my body or an instrument while listening.
- I can say which song I like to move to and why I like its beat.