Fourth grade general music is a continuation of the skills in the 7 elements of music learned in grades K-3. This course features a unit on the instruments of the orchestra. Emphasis is placed on music notation and rhythm as a natural progression into Music Appreciation courses in grades 5-7.
Unit 1: 1st Quarter – G clef staff, beginning composition, step/leap/repeat, match rhythms, silly rhythms
Unit 2: 2nd Quarter – Composition, hand drums, clip the instruments, sound bank
Unit 3: 3rd & 4th Quarters – Instruments of the Orchestra
Unit 1 Overview:
Students will discover and demonstrate how vibration is created to produce sound in each of the 4 families of instruments. Students will be able to categorize instruments by family name and characteristics. Students will be able to identify similarities and differences between the 4 families of instruments.
Unit 2 Overview:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of G clef note names learned in Grades K-3. Students will create aleatory music through marker drop and phone number music compositions. Students will understand that melody notes can move in 1 of 3 directions – by step, by leap or by repeating. Students will recognize rhythm through patterns of long and short symbols.
Unit 3 Overview:
Students will participate in composing class songs. Students will compose an original composition. Students will perform an independent rhythmic line alone and in a group using hand drums. Students will identify instruments by sound and picture.