Unit Plan

Grade: Middle School Beginner Strings

Course Content: Dynamics
Objectives:
1) Students will identify different dynamic symbols.
2) Students will define musical academic words, dynamics.
3) Students will demonstrate different dynamics verbally and on their instruments.
4) Students will create composition with multiple dynamic symbols utilizing higher-order thinking
skills.
5) Students will analyze and evaluate their own formal assessments.

Student Activities:
Day 1: New Academic Language
1) Teacher instruct and introduce new musical academic language
a) Objective:
i) Students will identify and define Italian dynamic words and symbols.
ii) Students will demonstrate different dynamics verbally .
b) These musical academic language includes: pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte,
forte, fortissimo, crescendo, and decrescendo.
c) Assessment: Educator will ask students to verbalize the italian vocabulary word with the
corresponding dynamic level crescendoing from pianissimo to fortissimo.
Day 2: Review utilizing modern technology
1) Kahoot Activity
a) Objective:
i) Students will identify and define Italian dynamic words and symbols.
ii) Students will demonstrate different dynamics verbally.
b) Students will be grouped into smaller groups to enhance peer-learning and collaboration
skills.
c) Assessment: Kahoot will be a form of informal assessment. The rankings on the website,
that is rated according to how fast the group answers correctly, will demonstrate students’
mastery level.
Day 3: Informal Assessment
1) Students creating their own composition
a) Objective:
i) Students will create composition with multiple dynamic symbols utilizing
higher-order thinking skills.
ii) Students will demonstrate different dynamics verbally and on their instruments.
b) Students are to a choice to compose in any medium with the boundaries of utilizing D,
F#, and A as well as quarter note, quarter rest, and half note. They are capable of
choosing whichever octave and dynamic level they want throughout the piece.
c) Assessment: Educator will check for student’s understanding of dynamics by listening to
dynamic changes demonstrated students perform their composition on their instruments.
Day 4: Formal Assessment
1) Written formal assessment with the usage of rubric
a) Objective:
i) Students will identify and define Italian dynamic words and symbols.
ii) Students will analyze and evaluate their own formal assessments.
b) Assessment: Educator will hand out a written assessment. After students finish
completing the assessment, students will exchange exams with a partner and grade each
other with a rubric followed by a class discussion.