6th Grade General: Ode to Joy and Chord Jam Session

Unit Topic:​​ Music Theory using Guitar

Lesson Essential Question:​​ How do we play a duet of melody and chords in a group?

National Standard State Standard Criteria Proficient

MU:Pr6.1.E.Ia
Demonstrate attention to
technical accuracy and
expressive qualities in
prepared and improvised
performances of a varied
repertoire of music
representing diverse
cultures, styles, and genres.
MU:Re7.1.E.Ia Apply
criteria to select music for
specified purposes,
supporting choices by citing
characteristics found in the
music and connections to
interest, purpose, and
context.
MU:Pr4.3.E.Ia
Demonstrate an
understanding of context in
a varied repertoire of music
through prepared and
improvised performances.
9.1.6.B. Recognize, know,
use and demonstrate a
variety of appropriate arts
elements and principles to
produce, review and revise
original works in the arts.
9.3.6.D. Evaluate works in
the arts and humanities
using a complex vocabulary
of critical response.
9.1.6.C. Identify and use
comprehensive vocabulary
within each of the arts
forms.
By the end of the trimester,
student will be able to use
their resources to
accurately play a melody of
their choice on the guitar.
At the beginning of class,
student will interpret the
musical qualities and their
own personal opinions of a
piece that is listened to.
By the end of the class,
students will be able to read
and clearly play a chord
progression using the
chords C, G, and em
Student will read tab and
musical notation and play a
melody with few mistakes.
Student will listen to a piece
and fill out their listening
sheet to interpret a piece
and how it was played by
identifying timbre,
dynamics, tempo, and style.
Student also connect the
song to a colour and movie
that they see fits the
listening.
Student can identify and
play a C, G, and em chord
as shown in a chord
progression without
fumbling between chords.

Time 11/27-11/28
12:21-1:06
1:08-1:54

Activating Thinking ● “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen ​slide 1/2

(Hook to motivate, link to ● Play video as soon as students are ready so they can start filling in their
prior knowledge) listening journal
8 minutes max ● Call on one random student to answer 2 questions

Acceleration/Previewing Key Vocabulary:

(Preview of key vocabulary,
concepts, and skills prior to
learning)
Guitar, Strings, Fret, Fingerboard, White bar (Nut), Sound hole, Neck, Tuning pegs,
Bridge
Skills:
Switch​ Strings with both hands when playing gu​itar
Understand rhythm with whole, half, and quarter notes
Read pitches on TAB, staff and a chord chart
Teaching Activities and 1. Jam day! ​Slide 3
Strategies a. Take out Ode to Joy
(Examples: Collaborative b. Take out chord papers
Pairs; Distributed Guided c. New D paper
Practice; Distributed 2. Dismiss students to go get guitars
Summarizing; Graphic a. Students move their chairs out to their usual guitar playing
Organizers) spot
b. Dismiss in groups to go get guitars - each is assigned a
number - dismiss even, then odd
c. Students practice “Ode to Joy” for 1 minute until everyone is
sitting with their guitar
3. Ode to Joy ​Slide 5
a. Review melody line by line
b. Play very slowly
c. Speed up a little once the students are comfortable
d. Do the same with chords - Strum the same rhythm as written
in the melody
4. Duet Ode to Joy
a. Split the class in half and give each half either chords or
melody - play through and then switch parts
b. Students in practice groups of 3 or 4 as decided by teacher
and written on the paper. 2 on chords and two on melody -
Make sure to switch and get comfortable with both
c. Students may move together and find a place in the room to
practice
d. Every group performs to the whole class
5. Jam Session ​Slide 4-7
a. Using chords G C Em and D
b. Watch Little kids rock videos and play along
c. Pause the video to explain or give critique as needed
d. End with “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
6. Pack Up
a. In the last 3 minutes (at 1:03 and 1:51) Students carefully put
away guitars and come back to their seats to pack up. When
they are finished packing up, students make a line at the door
until the clock changes to 1:06 and 1:54

Summarizing Strategies Students play ​“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People as a class
(Learners summarize and
answer LEQ)

Extending/Refining Activities Break down to each string then all together

Show student hand on ipad projection when they get it right
Advanced students can add dynamics (​F​ or ​p​)

Assignment and/or Informal/Summative

Assessment Students play ​“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People as a class

Re-Teaching Focus & Aural and visual examples on powerpoint projection of hands and verbal feedback
Strategy Teacher modeling
Peer teaching

Differentiation Printed examples

Students may focus on just playing one open string for each chord
Speaking fingerings and note names
Check individual understanding during work times
Videos and projection for visual learners
A.E.​​ Listening: Judge with :) or :( Guitar: Sit and watch partner student play
Review & Revise

Resources & Materials Teacher Materials:

Powerpoint
Aural example: ​“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Ode to Joy Music
Ode to Joy Group Paper

Students Materials:
Music class folder
Listening Packet
Pencil
Guitar
Ode to Joy Music
Chord Charts