Lesson Plans from Edumate

Grade 6

Term 2
Unit 1 – Music of East Asia

OVERVIEW
Understanding
The students will understand that ...

 Respecting the musical culture of other countries and being proud of one's own musical culture can go
together. 
 Different cultures have their distinctive contribution to the totality of music.
 There is a lot more about music than the modern day or contemporary style of music. 
 Asia's rich musical culture should inspire  present-day Asians to presenve them and to innovate new
musical styles for the next generations. 
 It is worth the time learning other musical cultures and trying songs from different Asian countries. 

Essential Questions
Students will keep considering ...

 When and where can a student possible use thier knowledge of the musical cultures of other countires?
 What important lessons can students learn from the way the Chinese preserve their culture?
 How can a student widen his or her horizon in terms of knowing other musical forms from other
countries?

Knowledge
The students will know...

 The development of Chinese music was organized into four periods

 Some Chinese compositions are based on a five-tone scale and some are based on the Lu system

 The Chinese music usually has a monophonic texture

 Ideogram is used to notate Chinese music

 The Chinese musical instruments are classified according to the materials used. These are silk, bamboo,
wood, gourd, hide/pigskin, clay, stone, and metal. 

 Japanese vocal music played an important role in the history of Japanese music

 Some of the Japanese vocal musical styles include minyo, shomyo, roei, saibara and zokuyo.

 Most of the Japanese musical instruments are adapted from other countries like China.

 Gagaku is an ensemble performed in the royal courts. It is the oldest Japanese musical tradition that
 performs dances and songs. 

 Korean traditional music is classified into two: Jeongak and Mingak or Sogak.

 Jeongak is the good right music for the aristocratic and middle class during the Joseon Dynasty

 Mingak or Sogak is the music of the common or the ordinary people

 The Mingak or the Sogak has four vocal forms: the Minyo, the Nongak, P’ansori, and the Sanjo
 There are 60 traditional Korean musical instruments that have been catalogued and preserved in Korea
 Korean musical instruments are made from natural materials like wood, silk, string, clay, and animal skin

Skills
Students will be skilled at...

 Listening to different genres and musical forms from other continents or regions.  
 Singing examples of folk song from the East Asian countries using the preferred singing technique of
that country. 
 Using improvised songs from provided materials. 
 Creating upbeat accompaniment for performance. 
 Giving their own report on their assigned countries.

EVIDENCE
Performance Tasks
Reporting about their Respective Musical Cultures

In this performance task, the students will be asked to give a report to the class about the musical culture of their
assigned country, most preferrably the countries where they are from.  This task involves research, preparation
of materials (such as Powerpoint Presentation, video clips, and audio files) and the actual presentation to the
class. Students are expected to make their report interesting and interactive. 

Reporting on their Respective Musical Cultures

In this performance task, the students will be asked to give a report to the class about the musical
culture of their assigned country, most preferrably the countries where they are from.  This task involves
research, preparation of materials (such as Powerpoint Presentation, video clips, and audio files) and the
actual presentation to the class. Students are expected to make their report interesting and interactive. 

Singing of a Fengyang Flower Drum Song

In this activity, the students will be encouraged to sing "Fengyang Flower Drum Song" observing the
authentic and original melody of the song. It is an activity that gives them a taste of songs other than the
ones that they would listen to on a daily basis. 

Singing of Sakura accompanied by Percussions

Under the discussion on Japanese Music, the students will sing "Sakura" a very important folk song from
Japan, using its pentatonic notation. The students may use the drums available in the Music Room to
add color to the singing. 
Other Evidence
 Singing  of "Fengyang Flower Drum Song" and "Sakura" 
 Organized presentation of their research and report
 Relevant materials 
 Teaching the class a song from their country
 Pen and Paper Quizzes and Seatwork