5th Grade Music Unit Plans

Looking for a way to have some fun while learning music? Look no further. This Graphic Scores Unit will have your students exploring how to represent sound using graphics and composing in no time! There are 3 main lessons included in this unit, however, the last lesson will likely take 6-8 lessons to put together and perform. This unit is one I have used with my own students so I know how much fun they have with it! The great thing with graphic scores is you don't really need any instruments to compose which makes this unit even better if you're teaching music on a cart or have limited resources available.

Overview:

This graphic score short unit exposes students to what a graphic score is. They get to represent sound using graphics and compose their own graphic score using found sounds. Students will learn how sound and music can be represented using graphics. They will practice representing a short piece of music through graphics. After, they will represent common soundscapes using their own graphics and will then create their own graphic score to perform. I created this in Google Docs/Slides so that you can customize this unit to your own unique needs.

Learning Goals:

• We are learning how to represent sounds and music using non-traditional notation.
• We are learning to compose a piece of music using found sounds and represent our sound using graphics.

Success Criteria:

• I can represent sound using graphics.
• I can compose a piece of music with a group and perform it using my score.

What’s Included:

• Lesson Plans and Ideas
• Google Slides Lesson on Graphic Scores (including original composition to practice creating graphic scores)
• Graphic organizer for students with fill in the blanks about graphic scores
• Graphic organizer for students to represent original composition as a graphic score
• Graphic organizer for students to represent soundscapes using graphics
• Graphic score for students to create their own graphic scores
• Rubrics to mark graphic score assignments
• 3 Stars and a Wish for peer feedback

Is your young drummer hungry for more solos and activities outside of the Rock'n'Rollin Level 2 Book?

Have no fear! Introducing...the Rock'n'Rollin' Level 2 ENCORE Book!

The ENCORE Book includes 20 MORE SOLOS and MORE ACTIVITIES to tide your drummer over until they get into Level 3.

Solos in Level 2 ENCORE use the traditional 5-line staff found in Unit 2 of the Level 2 method book and incorporate all the instruments on a drumset.

Rock'n'Rollin 2 ENCORE can be used in tandem with the Level 2 method book, or as a transition into the Level 3 method book.

Be sure to check out our other Rock'n'Rollin method books:

• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 1 (Single User Licence)
• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 1 (Studio/School Licence)
• Rockn'Rollin' Level 2 (Single User Licence)
• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 2 (Studio/School Licence)

Is your young drummer hungry for more solos and activities outside of the Rock'n'Rollin Level 1 Book?

Have no fear! Introducing...the Rock'n'Rollin' Level 1 ENCORE Book!

The ENCORE Book includes 20 MORE SOLOS and 18 MORE ACTIVITIES to tide your drummer over until they get into Level 2.

Solos in Level 1 ENCORE use the simplified 3 line staff found in Unit 6 of the Level 1 method book and incorporate all the instruments on a drumset.

Rock'n'Rollin 1 ENCORE can be used in tandem with the Level 1 method book, or as a transition from Level 1 into Level 2.

You can also use this book as a stand-alone method book for young drummers who are starting off their lessons.

Be sure to check out our other Rock'n'Rollin method books:

• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 1 (Single User Licence)
• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 1 (Studio/School Licence)
• Rockn'Rollin' Level 2 (Single User Licence)
• Rock'n'Rollin' Level 2 (Studio/School Licence)

Is your young drummer hungry for more solos and activities outside of the Rock'n'Rollin Level 3 Book?

Have no fear! Introducing...the Rock'n'Rollin' Level 3 ENCORE Book!

The ENCORE Book includes MORE SOLOS and ACTIVITIES to tide your drummer over until they get into Level 4.

Solos in Level 3 ENCORE use the traditional 5-line staff using 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures.

Rock'n'Rollin 2 ENCORE can be used in tandem with the Level 3 method book, or as a transition into the Level 4 method book (to be released early 2024).

Is your young drummer hungry for more solos and activities outside of the Rock'n'Rollin Level 3 Book?

Have no fear! Introducing...the Rock'n'Rollin' Level 3 ENCORE Book!

The ENCORE Book includes MORE SOLOS and ACTIVITIES to tide your drummer over until they get into Level 5.

Solos in Level 4 ENCORE use the traditional 5-line staff using 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures.

Rock'n'Rollin 4 ENCORE can be used in tandem with the Level 4 method book, or as a transition into the Level 5 method book (to be released in 2025).