District 11 Division of Operations & Instruction
Performing Arts


 

Grade 3, Music

Overview
There is considerable research on the academic value of students receiving instruction in the visual and Performing Arts. Brain research indicates that learning to read music strengthens the mathematical/logical aspect of brain development. In addition, learning to sing is a joyful and creative process. Third grade music classes focus on standards that are taught and assessed throughout the school year. More formalized assessments of each student's level of mastery begin as we progress into the second quarter and continue throughout the year.
For Teachers
Quarter 1  2
Quarter 3  4
Prior Grade
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Standards

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Using a variety of musical skills and techniques will change the personality of a song
  • Identifying and reading various musical notations and terms are necessary when reading and writing music
  • Improvising and writing replicable melodies and rhythms are important skills that allow me to think like a composer
  • Describing and analyzing music comes in different shapes and forms
  • Movement and dance are an important part of history in all cultures

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • How does a round differ from other types of songs I know?
  • What do I need to remember to perform a melody on an instrument?
  • Why will being able to identify different notes and musical elements help me in singing and writing music?
  • Why is it important that I learn how to notate music as it is clapped or played for me?
  • What can I learn from sight singing only three notes?
  • Why is improvising important to a composer? 
  • Why is being able to create a replicable melody important when composing?
  • How does understanding a "question" and an "answer" help me when I am composing?
  • Why do families of instruments vary in sound and looks?
  • Why does the "form" change a song?
  • What makes a performance excellent?
  • How do singing, movement and dance of different cultures compare to movement and dance in my life?
  • Why does a musician have a role in history?
  • How does music of yesteryear compare to today's music?
  • How does music in another culture compare to music in my culture?
  • How has music affected the traditions in my community?

Standards-Based Assessments
Standard I. Sings and plays instruments, alone and with others.
(Sings from  memory a repertoire of songs representing diverse genres and styles. Sings a round as part of a group. Performs a melody on an instrument. )
Standard II.  Reads and writes musical notation.
(Identifies whole notes, whole rests, half rests, and time signature.  Reads to play a rhythmic example containing any of the following: quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, whole notes, quarter rests, half rests, and whole rests. Reads to play a melodic example consisting of 3-5 different notes in the treble clef with at least 3 of the previously mentioned rhythmic values. Sight-sings melodic examples using sol-mi-la.  Notates rhythmic patterns which include half notes and whole notes.)

Standard III.
  Creates music.
(Creates a rhythmic pattern using quarter notes, eights notes, half notes and whole notes.  Creates a replicable melodic phrase using at least four pitches.  Improvises a rhythmic "answer"  in the same style as a given rhythmic phrase.)
Standard
IV.  Analyzes/describes and evaluates music. Compares and contrasts the characteristics of two families of instruments. Identifies criteria to use when evaluating performances.
Standard V.
  Demonstrates an understanding of music in relation to history, culture, and community traditions.
(Identifies and describes the roles of musicians in a given historical period. Compares and contrasts a given historical composer with musicians of today. Performs movements/dances from various countries/cultures.  identifies and describes the roles musicians in a given culture. Performs/identifies music that reflects community traditions.)


Literacy in Music
Fluency:
Read grade level materials attending to phrasing, intonation, and punctuation. (Level M-N)
Adjust reading pace to accommodate purpose, style, and difficulty of text. (Level M-N)
Music classes reinforce fluency as students learn songs with correct phrasing. Students learn to read and interpret musical terminology for emphasis in meaning; crescendo, piano, piano forte, and forte, rate (tempo) are all terms that help students understand how to communicate with fluency.

Mathematics in Music
Standard 5: Measurement - September Select correct tools to measure length, weight, temperature, time.
Third graders are taught to read music and to recognize beats and measures in music. Students learn to use units of measure (whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and rests to measure time. Reading music is a foundational concept for understanding fractions. Students can apply math operations to determine how many measures are in a song and how many beats by using addition and counting by 3s and 4s, or by using one and two digit multiplication.
View the Music and Fractions Video (3:58)



Sample Units

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:


Parents

 

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