Unit 1: Building Our Musical Community

Start with name games and icebreakers where students share their favorite songs or sounds. Introduce instruments and music stations through a "musical scavenger hunt," helping everyone feel comfortable in the space and with each other.

Unit 2: Feeling Sound: Exploring Music Through Our Senses

Explore how music affects emotions by listening to contrasting examples (e.g., upbeat vs. calming). Students partner up to describe how a piece makes them feel and draw or write about the emotions it inspires.

Unit 3: Moving to the Beat: Rhythm in Action

Practice rhythm through body percussion games, like “copycat claps” or stepping to a steady beat. Incorporate instruments like shakers or tambourines for students to create their own rhythmic patterns and share them with the group.

Unit 4: Drumming Connections: Voices Across Cultures

Introduce percussion instruments from different cultural traditions (e.g., djembes, congas, or cajóns). Teach basic drumming techniques, and as a group, create a rhythm piece inspired by call-and-response and layered textures.

Unit 5: Making Music Together: Singing and Playing

Teach a simple melody or round, like “Frère Jacques” or “Lean On Me.” Pair students to practice singing and accompanying on instruments (e.g., xylophones, keyboards), emphasizing teamwork and listening to each other.

Unit 6: Sharing Our Sound: Preparing for Performance

Prepare for a class showcase by combining skills learned so far. Students choose a favorite activity—drumming, singing, or rhythm—and work in small groups to create a performance. Incorporate time for group rehearsals and positive feedback.

Unit 7: Cracking the Code: Discovering Musical Symbols

Introduce basic musical notation using games like rhythmic matching cards or a "mystery melody" challenge. Students practice writing their own short rhythmic patterns and perform them for their peers using body percussion or instruments.

Unit 8: Music in Our Lives: How Sound Brings Us Together

Discuss how music plays a role in celebrations, school spirit, or special moments. Plan a collaborative project, such as creating a class song or soundscape to share with others in the school or local community.

Unit 9: Music Without Borders: Celebrating Diverse Traditions

Listen to and discuss examples of traditional music from various cultures. Students try playing or singing a simple melody or rhythm inspired by one tradition, learning about its history and significance as they explore the material.

Unit 10: My Musical Story: Discovering Who We Are Through Music

Students reflect on their experiences in class by creating a “musical self-portrait.” This can include drawings, a playlist, or a creative performance representing their favorite moments or discoveries from the course.