1st Grade

2nd Unit of Inquiry: How We Express Ourselves

Central Ideas:

Exploring cultures helps build respect.

Lines of Inquiry:

* Cultural Customs, Traditions, and Celebrations

* Understanding our own culture

* Appreciation of diversity

The Central Idea and Lines of Inquiry will be explored through the lens of music.

About the Unit:

Students will learn about music from Japan and China. They will analyze the music and understand the basic similarities and differences between the music and instruments. They will gain an understanding and appreciation for the role music plays in festivals and celebrations (Japan Cherry Blossom Festival; China - Lunar New Year.

During this unit, students will compose and perform short pieces of music as a class that is inspired by Japan and an individual composition based on music from China. Students will develop their listening and appraising skills.

Lesson Outlines:

Lesson 1 Objective: To learn about the Cherry Blossom Festival and Song and analyze Japanese Kabuki Theatre Music.

Lesson 2 Objective: To learn about Instruments from Japan and the Drums of Noto Hanto.

Lesson 3 Objective: To create and perform a piece of Japanese-inspired music.

Lesson 4 Objective: To analyze the traditional instruments and music from China.

Lesson 5 Objective: To learn about the music used for the Lion Dance and Chinese New Year.

Lesson 6 & 7 Objective: To compose and perform a piece of Chinese-inspired music.

Key Concepts – Form, Connection, Perspective

Related Concepts – Celebrations, Festivals, traditions, music scales, rhythm

1st Unit of Inquiry: Who Are We (WWA) & How We Organize Ourselves (HWOO)

1st Unit of Inquiry: Who Are We (WWA) & How We Organize Ourselves (HWOO)

Central Ideas:

WWA - Our understanding grows through learning and reflection.

HWOO - Decisions shape our lives and society.

Lines of Inquiry:

* Building self-knowledge

* Our role in the community

* Global awareness

* Problem-solving

* The impact of our choices

* Working independently and with others

The Central Idea and Lines of Inquiry will be explored through the lens of music.

About the Unit:

Students will identify and categorize instruments by type of sound, timbre, and family. They will gain an understanding of the way each instrument is played to make its sound and the different timbres. They will learn about the communities of instruments, known as families, and their roles/place in an orchestra.

During this unit, students will explore miming how some of the instruments are played. They will recognize the different types of timbre – metal, wood, string, and wind. Students will also learn the basics of conducting. Music terminology will be introduced to allow students to begin to correctly apply it. Students will develop their listening and appraising skills.

Lesson Outlines:

Lesson 1 Objective: To categorize instruments by the type of sound/material.

Lesson 2 Objective: To understand the characteristics of the string family, (including string instruments around the world) and orchestra layout.

Lesson 3 Objective: To analyze and identify differences between string and brass.

Lesson 4 Objective: To identify Woodwind instruments and learn to conduct.

Lesson 5 Objective: To classify the percussion family and perform rhythms.

Lesson 6 Objective: To analyze how music tells a story – Peter and the Wolf.

Lesson 7 Objective: To explore how music shares emotions and begin creating a short piece to express joy.

Lesson 8 Objective: To rehearse, perform and evaluate compositions.

Key Concepts – Function; Responsibility; Causation

Related Concepts – Relationships, Timbre, Orchestra, Family, Sound