Initial Ukulele Unit Outline

5th Grade
Moore Elementary
Lesson 1/Week 1
Outline for Lesson 1 (no playing)

● Music literacy (conversational solfege steps)

● Remainder of class will be spent on ukulele
○ Accompany a familiar song on ukulele while students sing song
(Frere Jaques)
○ Compare and contrast the ukulele with the guitar
■ Open discussion on the similarities and differences between
the two instruments. Allow self-discovery and
communication between students and teacher.
○ Discuss the similarities and differences of the ukulele with the
string orchestra instruments.
○ Explain finger numbers for playing ukulele and what finger
dexterity means
○ Have students practice moving fingers independently on both
hands.
Lesson 2/Week 2
Outline for Lesson 2 (playing)

● First ⅓ of class on music literacy/conversational solfege activities

● Rest of class (about ⅔) spent on ukulele
● Review ukulele parts
● Review finger numbers and finger activities
● Teach the students how to strum on the ukulele (air-strumming)
● Reveal ukuleles to 5th graders
○ The number they are sitting on will be the color ukulele they receive
● Mirror teacher and move to hold instruments correctly
● Practice counting strings and plucking each string independently
● Hold strings and practice strumming (using D and U) while holding strings
● After students strum successfully, they will practice strumming on open
strings.
Right hand on body of the ukulele

Left hand holding neck of ukulele

Ukulele may rest on right leg

4321
CGEA
4 G
3 C
2 E
1 A
Lesson 3/Week 3
Lesson 3 Outline

● ⅓ class music literacy (conversational solfege)

● ⅔ ukulele practice
● Review strumming with muted and open strings
● Then practice strumming using rhythm patterns 1B (quarter & eighth
notes) using open strings
● Learning C major chord
○ Review of finger numbers and air strumming
○ Practice strumming using C Major Chord
● Learn F major chord (time permitting)
4321
CGEA
4 G
3 C
2 E
1 A
4 G
3 C
2 E
1 A
C chord
F major chord
Lesson 4/Week 4
Lesson 4 Outline

● Review C major chord and strumming patterns set 1B

● Learn F major
● Students practice switching between two chords
● Practice singing mi re do tonal patterns while keeping a steady beat on F
major chord.
C chord
F major chord
Lesson 5/Week 5
Lesson 5- Outline

● Review ukulele rules with students

● Review the new F major Chord
● Read Pattern set 4A/4C while strumming F major
● Review C chord
● Alternate C & F major
● Don’t Worry Be Happy Play Along
4 G
3 C
2 E
1 A