ExploringStringTechniquesandPracticeStrategies

Author:RubenPascual
Datecreated:12/22/201611:14AMPSTDatemodified:12/22/20162:09PMPST

Summary&Theme

Thismultifacetedunitofstudyexplorestheareasofstringinstrumenttechniques,practicestrategies,andthecareerof
aprofessionalperformerthroughthestudyandpracticeofBeethovenandhis5thSymphony.

Grade/Level

Grade9,Grade10,Grade11,Grade12

TimeFrame

15classperiods.45Mins.perclass.

Subject(s)

StringOrchestra,Music

STANDARDSANDKEYCONCEPTS
Standards

Standardsaddressedbyentireunit
CACaliforniaK12AcademicContentStandards
Subject:Music
Grade:GradesNineThroughTwelveProficient
Area:ARTISTICPERCEPTION
SubStrand1.0:Processing,Analyzing,andRespondingtoSensoryInformationThroughtheLanguageandSkills
UniquetoMusicStudentsread,notate,listento,analyze,anddescribemusicandotherauralinformation,usingthe
terminologyofmusic.
Concept:ReadandNotateMusic
Standard1.1:Readaninstrumentalorvocalscoreofuptofourstavesandexplainhowtheelementsof
musicareused.
Standard1.3:Sightreadmusicaccuratelyandexpressively(levelofdifficulty:3scale:16).
Area:CREATIVEEXPRESSION
SubStrand2.0:Creating,Performing,andParticipatinginMusicStudentsapplyvocalandinstrumentalmusicskills
inperformingavariedrepertoireofmusic.Theycomposeandarrangemusicandimprovisemelodies,variations,and
accompaniments,usingdigital/electronictechnologywhenappropriate.
Concept:ApplyVocalorInstrumentalSkills
Standard2.4:Performonaninstrumentarepertoireofinstrumentalliteraturerepresentingvariousgenres,
styles,andcultureswithexpression,technicalaccuracy,tonequality,andarticulation,byoneselfandin
ensembles(levelofdifficulty:4scale:16).
Area:HISTORICALANDCULTURALCONTEXT
SubStrand3.0:UnderstandingtheHistoricalContributionsandCulturalDimensionsofMusicStudentsanalyzethe
roleofmusicinpastandpresentculturesthroughouttheworld,notingculturaldiversityasitrelatestomusic,
musicians,andcomposers.
Concept:RoleofMusic
Standard3.2:Explainthevariousrolesthatmusiciansperform,identifyrepresentativeindividualswhohave
functionedineachrole,andexplaintheiractivitiesandachievements.
Concept:DiversityofMusic
Standard3.4:Performmusicfromvariousculturesandtimeperiods.
Standard3.5:Classify,bygenreorstyleandhistoricalperiodorculture,unfamiliarbutrepresentativeaural
examplesofmusicandexplainthereasoningfortheclassification.
Area:AESTHETICVALUING
SubStrand4.0:Respondingto,Analyzing,andMakingJudgmentsAboutWorksofMusicStudentscriticallyassess
andderivemeaningfromworksofmusicandtheperformanceofmusiciansinaculturalcontextaccordingtothe
elementsofmusic,aestheticqualities,andhumanresponses.
Concept:AnalyzeandCriticallyAssess
Standard4.1:Developspecificcriteriaformakinginformedcriticalevaluationsofthequalityand
effectivenessofperformances,compositions,arrangements,andimprovisationsandapplythosecriteriain
personalparticipationinmusic.
Standard4.2:Evaluateaperformance,composition,arrangement,orimprovisationbycomparingeachwithan
exemplarymodel.
Concept:DeriveMeaning
Standard4.4:Describethemeansusedtocreateimagesorevokefeelingsandemotionsinmusicalworks
fromvariouscultures.

Standardscompiledfromlearningactivities
*Toeditthesestandards,gototheactivitythesestandardsareattachedto

CACaliforniaK12AcademicContentStandards
Subject:Music
Grade:GradesNineThroughTwelveProficient
Area:ARTISTICPERCEPTION
SubStrand1.0:Processing,Analyzing,andRespondingtoSensoryInformationThroughtheLanguageandSkills
UniquetoMusicStudentsread,notate,listento,analyze,anddescribemusicandotherauralinformation,usingthe
terminologyofmusic.

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Concept:ReadandNotateMusic
Standard1.1:Readaninstrumentalorvocalscoreofuptofourstavesandexplainhowtheelementsof
musicareused.
Standard1.3:Sightreadmusicaccuratelyandexpressively(levelofdifficulty:3scale:16).
Concept:Listento,Analyze,andDescribeMusic
Standard1.4:Analyzeanddescribetheuseofmusicelementsandexpressivedevices(e.g.,articulation,
dynamicmarkings)inauralexamplesinavariedrepertoireofmusicrepresentingdiversegenres,styles,and
cultures.
Standard1.5:Identifyandexplainavarietyofcompositionaldevicesandtechniquesusedtoprovide
unity,variety,tension,andreleaseinauralexamples.
Area:CREATIVEEXPRESSION
SubStrand2.0:Creating,Performing,andParticipatinginMusicStudentsapplyvocalandinstrumentalmusicskills
inperformingavariedrepertoireofmusic.Theycomposeandarrangemusicandimprovisemelodies,variations,and
accompaniments,usingdigital/electronictechnologywhenappropriate.
Concept:ApplyVocalorInstrumentalSkills
Standard2.4:Performonaninstrumentarepertoireofinstrumentalliteraturerepresentingvariousgenres,
styles,andcultureswithexpression,technicalaccuracy,tonequality,andarticulation,byoneselfandin
ensembles(levelofdifficulty:4scale:16).
Area:HISTORICALANDCULTURALCONTEXT
SubStrand3.0:UnderstandingtheHistoricalContributionsandCulturalDimensionsofMusicStudentsanalyzethe
roleofmusicinpastandpresentculturesthroughouttheworld,notingculturaldiversityasitrelatestomusic,
musicians,andcomposers.
Concept:RoleofMusic
Standard3.2:Explainthevariousrolesthatmusiciansperform,identifyrepresentativeindividualswhohave
functionedineachrole,andexplaintheiractivitiesandachievements.
Concept:DiversityofMusic
Standard3.4:Performmusicfromvariousculturesandtimeperiods.
Standard3.5:Classify,bygenreorstyleandhistoricalperiodorculture,unfamiliarbutrepresentativeaural
examplesofmusicandexplainthereasoningfortheclassification.
Area:AESTHETICVALUING
SubStrand4.0:Respondingto,Analyzing,andMakingJudgmentsAboutWorksofMusicStudentscriticallyassess
andderivemeaningfromworksofmusicandtheperformanceofmusiciansinaculturalcontextaccordingtothe
elementsofmusic,aestheticqualities,andhumanresponses.
Concept:DeriveMeaning
Standard4.4:Describethemeansusedtocreateimagesorevokefeelingsandemotionsinmusicalworks
fromvariouscultures.
Concept:AnalyzeandCriticallyAssess
Standard4.1:Developspecificcriteriaformakinginformedcriticalevaluationsofthequalityand
effectivenessofperformances,compositions,arrangements,andimprovisationsandapplythosecriteriain
personalparticipationinmusic.
Standard4.2:Evaluateaperformance,composition,arrangement,orimprovisationbycomparingeachwithan
exemplarymodel.
Area:CONNECTIONS,RELATIONSHIPS,APPLICATIONS
SubStrand5.0:ConnectingandApplyingWhatIsLearnedinMusictoLearninginOtherArtFormsandSubject
AreasandtoCareersStudentsapplywhattheylearninmusicacrosssubjectareas.Theydevelopcompetenciesand
creativeskillsinproblemsolving,communication,andmanagementoftimeandresourcesthatcontributetolifelong
learningandcareerskills.Theylearnaboutcareersinandrelatedtomusic.
Concept:ConnectionsandApplications
Standard5.1:Explainhowelements,artisticprocesses,andorganizationalprinciplesareusedinsimilarand
distinctivewaysinthevariousarts.

Subject:EnglishLanguageArts
Grade:GradesNineandTen
Area:Writing
SubStrand2.0:WritingApplications(GenresandTheirCharacteristics)Studentscombinetherhetoricalstrategiesof
narration,exposition,persuasion,anddescriptiontoproducetextsofatleast1,500wordseach.Studentwriting
demonstratesacommandofstandardAmericanEnglishandtheresearch,organizational,anddraftingstrategies
outlinedinWritingStandard1.0.
Concept:UsingthewritingstrategiesofgradesnineandtenoutlinedinWritingStandard1.0,students:
Standard2.5:Writebusinessletters:a.Provideclearandpurposefulinformationandaddresstheintended
audienceappropriately.b.Useappropriatevocabulary,tone,andstyletotakeintoaccountthenatureofthe
relationshipwith,andtheknowledgeandinterestsof,therecipients.c.Highlightcentralideasorimages.d.
Followaconventionalstylewithpageformats,fonts,andspacingthatcontributetothedocumentsreadability
andimpact.
SubStrand1.0:WritingStrategiesStudentswritecoherentandfocusedessaysthatconveyawelldefined
perspectiveandtightlyreasonedargument.Thewritingdemonstratesstudentsawarenessoftheaudienceand
purpose.Studentsprogressthroughthestagesofthewritingprocessasneeded.
Concept:OrganizationandFocus
Standard1.1:Establishacontrollingimpressionorcoherentthesisthatconveysaclearanddistinctive
perspectiveonthesubjectandmaintainaconsistenttoneandfocusthroughoutthepieceofwriting.
Standard1.2:Usepreciselanguage,actionverbs,sensorydetails,appropriatemodifiers,andtheactive

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ratherthanthepassivevoice.
Area:Reading
SubStrand1.0:WordAnalysis,Fluency,andSystematicVocabularyDevelopmentStudentsapplytheirknowledgeof
wordoriginstodeterminethemeaningofnewwordsencounteredinreadingmaterialsandusethosewords
accurately.
Concept:VocabularyandConceptDevelopment
Standard1.1:Identifyandusetheliteralandfigurativemeaningsofwordsandunderstandwordderivations.
Standard1.2:Distinguishbetweenthedenotativeandconnotativemeaningsofwordsandinterpretthe
connotativepowerofwords.

Grade:GradesElevenandTwelve
Area:Writing
SubStrand1.0:WritingStrategiesStudentswritecoherentandfocusedtextsthatconveyawelldefinedperspective
andtightlyreasonedargument.Thewritingdemonstratesstudentsawarenessoftheaudienceandpurposeand
progressionthroughthestagesofthewritingprocess.
Concept:OrganizationandFocus
Standard1.1:Demonstrateanunderstandingoftheelementsofdiscourse(e.g.,purpose,speaker,audience,
form)whencompletingnarrative,expository,persuasive,ordescriptivewritingassignments.
Standard1.5:Uselanguageinnatural,fresh,andvividwaystoestablishaspecifictone.

OverarchingUnderstandings

Thestudentswill:
outlineimportantaspectsofBeethoven'slifeandmusic
understandtheimpactofBeethoven'smusiconthehistoryofthesymphony
analyzethemusicofBeethoven
investigatestringperformancetechniquesandapplythemtothegivenrepertiore
investigatepracticestrategiesandemploythemintheirownpracticesessions
reflectonthierownpracticesessions
understandtheroleofaperformingmusicianintoday'sworldandinthepast
constructavisualaidtohelpotherstudentsorganizethierpracticetimeandlearnnewstringtechniques
critiqueliveandrecordedperformancesforvairousareasofmusicality
readandwritecomprehensivetextsrelatedtotheunitofstudy
writeprofessionalemailsthatcanbeusedtocommunicatewithprofessionalmusiciansintherealworld
experienceandprepareforareallifemusiclessonwithaprivateinstructor
performmusicexcerptssimilartohowprofessionalmusiciansauditionforaseatintheorchestra

EssentialQuestions
WhoisBeethoven?Whydoesanybodycare?
Howdomusicianspractice?
Howdomusicianslearn?
Howdoyouwriteaprofessionalemail?
Whatshouldyoudoduringaliveperformance?Howdoyouevaluatealiveperformance?
Whatshouldyoulistenforwhenlisteningtomusic?
Whatcanyoudowithadegreeinmusic?
Howdoyouprepareforamusiclesson?
Howdoyouscheduleamusiclesson?
KnowledgeandSkills

Priortothisunitofstudy,thestudentshavetobecomfortablewiththebasicskillsetneededtoperformonstringed
instruments(violin,viola,cello,stringbass).Thestudentsmusthaveanunderstandingofmusicalterminologyand
understandingsofrhythm,meter,phrasing,anddynamics.

FORMATIVEPERFORMANCETASKSANDASSESSMENT
WhatEvidenceWillIndicateThatTheStudentsUnderstand?HowWillTheyDemonstrateWhatTheyKnow?
CulminatingPerformance
Task

Thestudentswillconductresearchandexplorevariouspracticestrategiesandonenewstringtechniquenottalked
aboutintheclasslectures.Thestudentswillthencomposeavisualaidtohelpotherstudentslearnhowtoorganize
thiertimeandhowtodevelopnewstringtechniques.Thestudentswillteachonetechniquetalkedaboutinclassand
thenewtechniquethattheyhaveinvestigated.Thevisualaidcouldbeateachingepisode,avideo,apowerpointor
prezipresentation,oranyothervisualaidthatthestudentsareinterestedinpresenting.
Thestudentswillwriteoftheirexperiencedoingthisassignment.
ThestudentswillalsogothroughaperformancetestonthefirstmovementofBeethoven's5thsymphony.Theywillbe
testedindividuallyonassignedmusicalexcerptsinthemovement,andtheywillbetestedasawholegroup,througha
videorecordingoftheirperformanceofthemovementattheendoftheunit.

Assessment/Rubrics

Theperformancetestswillbegradedbasedonaperformancerubricthatincludescriterionsuchasmusicality,rhythm,
phrasing,technique,tempo,anddynamics.Theteacherwillfillouttherubricfortheindividualperformancetests,andthe
classwillfillouttherubricinresponsetothewholeclassperformancevideo.Studentswillbegradedonhowthey
respondtothewholeclassrecordingrubric.
Iwillimplementmanyformativeassessmentsthroughoutthecourseoftheunit.Thesewillbefrequentandwillinclude
observationsofthestudents'participationinclassroomdiscussions.Iwillalsousetheirpracticelogsasaformative
assessment,whichwillallowmetokeeptrackoftheirweeklyprogressandunderstanding.
Thefinalprojectwillbegradedoncontentandquality.Therewillalsobeagradingrubricforthisassignment.Boththe
classandtheteacherwillfillouttherubricforeachstudentasthestudentswillpresentthierprojectstotheclass.

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LEARNINGEXPERIENCESANDRESOURCES
UnitPrevieworAnticipatory
Set

LetswatchthisclipofBeethoven's5thsymphonyandletyourmindcreateastorybasedonwhatyouhear.Whatdoyou
hear?Whatdoyousee?Closeyoureyes.Nowwhatdoyousee?WhoisBeethoven?Whatdoeshismusicsayabout
him?
Links:
1. Fantasia2000Beethoven's5thTakenfromDisney'sfilm,"Fantasia."Itisaclipoftheanimationandmusicto
Beethoven's5thSymphony.

SequenceofLessons
1. WhoisBeethoven?
lifeandwork

2. SpiccatoandLegatoStroke
newtechniqueshowtoplaythem,whentousethem

3. ListeningLesson
Howdowelistentomusic?

4. FromStudenttoTeacher
presentPBLassignment

5. LivePerformance
evaluatealiveperformanceSocraticseminarwithprofessionalmusicians

6. WrtingaProfessionaEmail
7. EmailEditing
8. OrganizingPracticeTime
9. HowtoPracticeSlowly
10. HowtoprepareforaPrivateLesson
11. ProducingBeethovenDynamics
12. PracticeProgress
13. GroupAssessment
wholeclassrecordingandevaluation

14. StudentPresentations
15. SummativeAssessment
individualperformanceassessment

Resources
Materialsandresources:
Paper,Pencil,Whiteboard,Markers,StringInstruments,Videorecorder,copyofBeethoven'sSymphonyNo.5
movement1(providedbytheteacher),everystudentneedsajournal,computerandprojector,soundspeakers,
readingmaterialsprovidedbytheteacher.

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