Course Description
This course develops musicianship through playing a string instrument. String music lessons are offered to continuing 5th, and 6th grade students, who have completed the Strings I Course or a comparable course from another school district. Group lessons are offered once every 6 school days during the student day for 30 minutes to help students learn to read and perform music on their instruments. Students are given the opportunity to participate in the elementary orchestra during the second semester.
Core Curriculum Content Standards
Arts and Humanities (2002)
Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts
GRADE 5
- Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities. Elements -Dance: • energy/force • space • time -Music: • duration • intensity • pitch • timbre -Theatre: • scenario • script/text • set design -Visual Arts: • color • form/shape • line • space • texture • value Principles -Dance: • choreography • form • genre • improvisation • style • technique -Music: • composition • form • genre • harmony • rhythm • texture -Theatre: • balance • collaboration • discipline • emphasis • focus • intention • movement • rhythm • style • voice -Visual Arts: • balance • contrast • emphasis/focal point • movement/rhythm • proportion/scale • repetition • unity/harmony(9.1.5.A)
- Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts. -Dance: • move • perform • read and notate dance • create and choreograph • improvise -Music: • sing • play an instrument • read and notate music • compose and arrange •improvise -Theatre: • stage productions • read and write scripts • improvise • interpret a role • design sets • direct -Visual Arts: • paint • draw • craft • sculpt • print • design for environment, communication, multi-media(9.1.5.B)
- Know and use fundamental vocabulary within each of the arts forms.(9.1.5.C)
- Identify the function and benefits of rehearsal and practice sessions.(9.1.5.G)
Critical Response
GRADE 5
- Identify critical processes in the examination of works in the arts and humanities. -Compare and contrast -Analyze -Interpret -Form and test hypotheses -Evaluate/form judgments(9.3.5.A)
Units
Unit #1 - Rhythmic Development
Unit #2 - Sequential Introduction of Pitches
Unit #3 - Bowing Techniques
Unit #4 - Music Theory - Terms and Symbols
Course Resources
- Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, book 1
- Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, book 2
- SmartMusic - Music Learning Software
- Ensemble Performance Music
- Essential Elements for Strings: Teacher Resource Kit (Allen)
- All for Strings (Anderson)
- The Bornoff Approach: A Comprehensive Curriculum for String Orchestra (Bornoff & Lyle)
- Suzuki Cello School - Volume 1 (Suzuki)
- A Better Beginning: A Pre-Method Book for Starting Young String Students (Lavender)
- Habits of a Successful String Musician (Selby)
- String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra (Shade)
