Submitted by Lynn Frens, Michigan

Idea posted December 4, 2002

My first grade units are:

Rhythm: Steady beat; Strong and weak beats; Beat/no beat; Duple meter; Triple meter; Rhythm pattern; Long and short sounds; Quarter note; Eighth note; Quarter rest; Rhythmic ostinato
Melody: High and low; Higher and lower; Sol; Mi; La; Do; Up, down; Steps, leaps, & repeated pitches; Melodic ostinato; Melodic phrases - same or different
Harmony: Solo vs. chorus; Ostinato; Monophony vs. harmony
Tone Color: Orff instruments; Introduction to the families of the orchestra; String family: Violin, viola, cello, bass; Other stringed instruments; Classroom instruments; Body percussion
Expressive Qualities: Dynamics: forte & piano; Tempo: largo & presto; Articulation: legato & staccato
Form: Introduction and coda; Verse and refrain; Call and response; Echo; AB; ABA
Enrichment: Carnival of the Animals

Our school is in the process of becoming accredited, and since we had no music department philosophy, grade level objectives, units taught, resources, teaching strategies, or evaluation procedures, that was what my personal school focus was on last year.