Lesson Plan

Destiny McDaniel, James Madison University

Title: Music Around the World
Grade Level: 4th and 5th grade general music
Class Time: 1 Hour

Goal: Students will understand, apply, and create using aspects of global music.
Objectives: Students will create a short presentation to demonstrate their understanding on
musical aspects from different countries.
Standards:
➔ 4.6
◆ The student will explore historical and cultural aspects of music.
● Describe music compositions from different periods of music history.
● Describe musical styles from a variety of time periods and places.
● Listen to and describe music from a variety of world cultures.
● Examine how music from popular culture reflects the past and influences
the present.
● Explain how criteria used to value music may vary between people and
communities
➔ 5.2
◆ The student will apply a creative process for music.
● Investigate music by documenting questions and conducting research on a
musical topic of interest.
● Explain the role of a creative process in developing a music product or
performance.
● Share finished works of music with a group.
Materials Needed:
- Six maps each highlighted one of the different countries used in the activity
- Six chromebooks/iPads
- Access to musical work from America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and
China.
- Pictures of instruments from America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and
China.
Procedure: There will be different stations present around the music room that each represent a
different country, America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, and China. At each
station there will be a map of the country that station is dedicated to. Along with the map there
will be a chromebook/iPad playing a video of a performance from that country to allow the
students to hear instruments and musical styles they may not be familiar with. There will also be
short readings about the country and musical culture within that country. Lastly, there will be
pictures of several instruments that are common in that specific country’s culture and
information about said instrument. The class will break into small groups and each group will
start at a different station. Students will continue around the room, exploring each culture as they
go at their own pace. Once every student has been to each station, they will then decide on one
country and create a presentation to share with the class ONE WEEK after our Music Around the
World lesson.
Assessment/Evaluation: The students will demonstrate their knowledge on the topic by creating
a short presentation of 5 minutes or less on the music in any country of their choice. The
information can be presented in any creative manner the student chooses. (Example: Student
draws an instrument they learned about from one of the six countries and presents it to the class
while sharing what they learned)