Unit Plan – Scope and Sequence

Cameron Wirtz
6/2/19

Fables
(I. The tortoise and the Hare II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!” III. The country Mouse and the City
Mouse)

By Richard Meyer

Fables Scope and Sequence

 8th grade intermediate string orchestra; all students have participated in three years of
middle school beginning orchestra

Instrumentation:

 Violin I
 Violin II
 Viola
 Cello
 String Bass

Goals:
1. Acquire musical tone painting skills
2. Develop an understanding of Aesop’s Fables
3. Develop fluency in rapidly changing meters (2/4, 4/4, 3/4 , 6/8)
4. Perform a concert with soloists selected
5. Become familiar with NuTune for warm up assessment

Pieces:
1. Fables (I. The Tortoise and the Hare)
2. Fables (II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!”)
3. Fables (III. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse)
Week 1 (out of 5): Ensemble Sound
Course/ Grade Content:
Student Activities:
Day 1:
1. Distribute syllabus, review as a class
2. Distribute NuTune Logins for warm-ups
a. Configure NuTune Application
3. Play “Fables” I. The Tortoise and the Hare
Day 2:
1. Warm-ups
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 96, using all combinations of
rhythms
2. Play “Fables” I. The Tortoise and the Hare
a. Violin I and Violin II switch parts
Day 3:
1. Warm-ups
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 96, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. Articulations (ex. Spicatto, Legato, Tremello, pizzacato)
2. Play “Fables” I. The Tortoise and the Hare
a. Emphasis and introduction toplay articulation and dynamics
Assessments(s): Additional weekly NuTune Assignments

Week 2 (out of 5): DO LESSON PLANS FOR THIS WEEK

Course/ Grade Content:
Student Activities:
Day 1:
1. Introduce Project
a. Students presentations on an Aesop fable
2. Warm-up
a. NuTune
i. G Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. E Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
3. Play “Fables” II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!”
Day 2:
1. Musical tone painting exercise
a. Play music and students draw pictures to what they hear
2. Conduct “Fables” II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!”
a. With online recording
b. Meter Changes from 2/4, 4/4, 6/8
 3. Play “Fables” II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf”
a. Pick student volunteers for solo
4.
Day 3:
1. Warm-Up
a. NuTune
i. G Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. E Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
2. Play “Fables” II. The Boy Who Cried “Wolf!”
a. Dynamics, Articulation, intonation
Assessments(s): Work on Aesop’s fable Project, send recording to instructor for solo audition

Week 3 (out of 5):

Course/ Grade Content:
Student Activities:
Day 1:
1. Warm-up
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. B Melodic Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all
combinations of rhythms
b. Conducting time changes as a class to a recording
i. Switch between 3/4, and 2/4
2. Play “Fables” III. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
a. Identify the country vs the city mouse
Day 2:
1. Aesop’s fable project presentations
2. Review “Fables” I. and II.
3. Announce soloist for “Fables” Mvt. 2
Day 3:
1. Warm-up
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. B Melodic Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all
combinations of rhythms
2. Play “Fables” III. The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
a. Style Changes, Articulation, Dynamics
Assignments(s): NuTune Assignments
Week 4 (out of 5):
Course/ Grade Content:
Student Activities:
Day 1:
1. Warm-up
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. G Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
iii. E Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
2. Play through all “Fables” I. II. III.
a. Run through and take note of weak sections
b. Record entire piece
Day 2:
1. Warm-up
a. Play back recording
b. Students note sections that they feel needs improvement
2. Play through all sections students feel need work
a. Teacher notes unresolved issues
Day 3:
1. Warm-up
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. G Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
iii. E Minor, 1 octave, quarter note = 82, using all combinations of
rhythms
2. Play through all “Fables” I. II. III.
a. Sectionals
i. Separated Violins, Cellos, Violas
Assignments(s): NuTune Assignment, work on assigned sectional excerpts

Week 5 (out of 5):

Course/ Grade Content:
Student Activities:
Day 1:
1. Warm-ups
a. NuTune
i. D Major, 1 octave, quarter note = 96, using all combinations of
rhythms
ii. Articulations (ex. Spicatto, Legato, Tremello, pizzacato)
 2. Play “Fables” I. The Tortoise and the Hare
a. Emphasis and introduction to articulation and dynamics
Day 2:
1. Experiential Education
a. Field trip to a musical
i. Students annotate what they hear in relation to what they see
1. Themes, tone painting, instrumentation, dynamics,
ii. Relate what they learned and how they can apply their
experience to “Fables
Day 3:
1. Sectionals for Warm up
a. Violins, Violas, Cellos and Bass
2. Play “Fables” II. III.
a. Emphasis on themes, and word painting