Sixth Grade Ancient Music Unit
Music arises out of the times in which it was composed;
it both reflects and influences other art forms.
Overview: When did music start? What was the music like in the ancient cultures? How has music changed over the years, and how is it similar? These are just some of the questions the students will examine before the Thanksgiving. The students will participate in a variety of activities to learn about the music of the ancient cultures. This will connect and augment what they will be studying in Social Studies Curriculum.
Objectives:
- Students will understand that Music and the Arts both shape and reflect culture and history.
- Students will learn and apply the four basic questions used to examine the music of a culture.
- Students will research and develop a presentation of one of the ancient cultures of India, Egypt, China, Israel, and Persia. (Greek and Roman music will be the focus after Christmas)
- Students will examine the similarity and differences between ancient music and our music today.
Connections to Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines for the Arts:
1.3 The student will identify techniques and characteristics of various artist, cultures and historical periods.
2.1 The student will apply a creative process in The Arts.
3.2 The student will use The Arts to communicate for a specific purpose.
3.3 The student will describe how aesthetic choices are influenced by the historical context.
4.2 The student will demonstrate and analyze the connections between The Arts and other content areas.
4.4 The student will understand that The Arts shape and reflect culture and history.
5.1 The student will understand the role of music in religious expression.
Ancient Music Research Project
Objectives:
- Students will understand that Music and the Arts both shape and reflect culture and history.
- Students will learn and apply the four basic questions used to examine the music of a culture.
- Students will research and develop a group presentation of one of the ancient cultures of India, Egypt, China, Israel, and Persia.
- Students will examine the similarity and differences between ancient music and our music today.
Please research the following aspect of your chosen ancient culture:
- Origin: When and where did this music happen? Was this music influenced by any other cultures, events, or ideas?
- Purpose: When did this culture play music? What purpose did it serve? (i.e., cultural festivals, religious ceremonies, personal expressions, etc.) What was the music trying to express?
- Structure: How was the music organized? Was it based on a “scale”? What system or pattern of notes was its based? Was the music written down? How was it written?
- Instruments: What were the instruments of that culture? How were they made? What did they look like? How were they played?
Present this information visually using Power Point or another strong visual format. Extra points given will be for quality use of technology, use of visual models, or extra visual examples of music. Also, it will be given for any other forms of creative expression that adds to the presentation.
Assessment
I will assess the following areas:
- Work behavior: Did you stay on task? Did you solve problems and included all members of your group? Did you respect the work environment and the focus of the teacher and the other groups? Did your group keep a work journal of their progress and problems? 20 pts
- Content: Does the content answer all four categories? Did you give details or examples? Did you use your own words? Were additional references used? Did you cite your references? 50 pts
- Presentation: 30pts.
Verbal Component: Was your presentation well organized and rehearsed? Were all the words pronounced correctly? Did you use eye contact, facial expression, and adequate volume to help engage your audience, and not just read the material? 15pts
Visual Component: Did the visuals give specific information that was thoroughly proofread? Did it use pictures, maps, examples or diagrams? Was it neat and visually appealing? 15pts
- Extras: 10 pts Extra points will be given for use of technology, use of visual models, or extra visual examples of music. Also, extra points will be given for any other forms of creative expression that adds to the presentation!
Due Date: February 22