October 9 to December 21

Our second unit will cover holidays around the world, and how all cultures use music as a form of celebrating. We will use a variety of songs to explore the traditions of world celebrations, and culminate our unit in the annual Winter Celebration performance.

Inquiry Questions: 

1. What are the major November/December holidays?

2. How does music help us celebrate holidays?

3. Can we enjoy the music of other holidays?

ATL Skills: 

• Affective Skills: In order to have a successful Winter Celebration performance, you will need to use Affective Skills. The specific skill set you will practice is practicing focus and concentration. We will make sure you are successful by having regular rehearsals of stage etiquette, performance etiquette, and taking brain breaks to allow for better focus. 

• Organization: In order to have a successful Winter Celebration performance, you will need to use Organization skills. The specific skill set you will practice is planning short- and long-term assignments and meeting deadlines. We will make sure you are successful by having regular rehearsals of our music performances and the script for Winter Celebration. 

• Information Literacy Skills:  In order to have a successful Winter Celebration performance, you will need to use Information Literacy skills. The specific skill set you will practice is making connections between various sources of information. We will make sure you are successful by having regular rehearsals of our music performances and the script for Winter Celebration. 

Summative Task:

You will perform in the Winter Celebration. You will have a role as either an actor, emcee, poem-reader, or member of the chorus. 

You will be assessed on how ready you are to perform. This includes memorization and both stage and performance etiquette. 

August 14 to October 6

Our first unit will cover the elements of music, and how we use them to create and perform. Using singing, ukulele, keyboard, and our new classroom percussion, we will work towards our summative task: a 6th grade performance within our classroom, which will be recorded on video to share within the school community. 

Inquiry Questions:

1. What are the elements of music?

2. How do the elements of music work together to create a composition?

3. Could one person's interpretation of these elements make their composition better or worse than someone else's?

ATL Skills:

• Communication: In order for you to successfully perform in the summative task, you will need to use Communication Skills. You will specifically use the skill of using and interpreting music-specific terms and symbols (music notation). We will make sure you are successful by having weekly check-ins to review material and help you remember terms.

• Organization: In order for you to perform a piece of music, you need to use Organization Skills. You will specifically use the skill of planning short- and long-term assignments and meeting deadlines. We will make sure you are successful by having daily check-ins with you to ensure you are staying focused in your practice.

• Affective  Skills: In order for you to reflect on your own performance in the summative task, you will need to use Affective Skills. You will specifically use the skill of practicing focus and concentration. We will make sure you are successful by having guided reflection activities where you learn how to judge your own performance.

Summative Task:

Choose a piece of music from the list provided. 

First, you will investigate. Describe the performance of this piece of music. How does it use the elements of music? 

Next, you will perform your piece of music, for the class.

Finally, you will evaluate your own performance. What went well? Where can you make improvements? Did you follow the elements as they were used in the music (example, perform at the correct tempo, perform the rhythms correctly, play all the right notes)?