7th Grade Units of Study
Test Cheat Sheet/Note Card Dimensions:
Top: 1.0 in. Right: 1.0 in.
Bottom: 7.0 in. Left: 2.5 in.
UNIT 1: You and Music: In this unit, we will review many concepts from previous years. We will spend much time developing an understanding of rhythm, pitch, tone color, meter, texture, and form through listening and performance.External Websites
OKLAHOMA: We will watch this timeless musical as a class. Oklahoma was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1943. It was their first collaboration and the first musical in history to use all of the songs and dances as a way to develop the characters and the plot. The students will research the lives and careers of Rodgers and Hammerstein, writing a two page essay. The students will enhance their essay by including pictures of Rodgers & Hammerstein, as well as other musicals they co-wrote. Lastly, students will work in groups to make a music video to one of the songs from the musical. Students will film their performance of this song which we will watch in class.
UNIT 2: Rhythm Around Us: In this unit, we explore complex rhythms against a steady beat and specific beat values. A main focus of this unit is phrase structure and syncopation. We will learn more about syncopation as we delve into the world of Ragtime music - the first truly American form of music. Through our study of Ragtime, we will learn more about the “King of Ragtime”, Scott Joplin. A large part of this unit is dedicated to the history of our National Anthem. The students will learn more about our nation’s anthem as a song and as an important part of our history.
AMERICAN COMPOSERS: The students will do a research project on the life of a chosen American composer and create a book commemorating their life and career. The book will include a biography, song list, pictures of the composer, and much more.
UNIT 3: Rhythm Everywhere: This unit is a further exploration of rhythms which include dotted patterns, triplets, syncopated and non-syncopated rhythms. This unit focuses on melodic patterns. We will identify specific melodies through listening to different tone colors, textures, dynamics, tonality, and mood. We will focus on major and minor scales. We will explore the many facets of melody as we listen to Classical and Romantic composers such as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
American Popular Music: In this unit, we will explore the origins of what we hear on the radio today. We will begin with the pop music of the 1920’s and continue until we reach the popular music of today. Students will be exposed to “pop” music from each decade beginning with the 1920s. In this unit, we will spend a lot of time discussing what makes a song “good” and what makes a song a “classic”. We will use materials from Rolling Stone magazine as we delve further into these cultural icons and their contributions to our culture and society.
Top: 1.0 in. Right: 1.0 in.
Bottom: 7.0 in. Left: 2.5 in.
UNIT 1: You and Music: In this unit, we will review many concepts from previous years. We will spend much time developing an understanding of rhythm, pitch, tone color, meter, texture, and form through listening and performance.External Websites
- Listen to each instrument of the orchestra at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids website
OKLAHOMA: We will watch this timeless musical as a class. Oklahoma was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1943. It was their first collaboration and the first musical in history to use all of the songs and dances as a way to develop the characters and the plot. The students will research the lives and careers of Rodgers and Hammerstein, writing a two page essay. The students will enhance their essay by including pictures of Rodgers & Hammerstein, as well as other musicals they co-wrote. Lastly, students will work in groups to make a music video to one of the songs from the musical. Students will film their performance of this song which we will watch in class.
UNIT 2: Rhythm Around Us: In this unit, we explore complex rhythms against a steady beat and specific beat values. A main focus of this unit is phrase structure and syncopation. We will learn more about syncopation as we delve into the world of Ragtime music - the first truly American form of music. Through our study of Ragtime, we will learn more about the “King of Ragtime”, Scott Joplin. A large part of this unit is dedicated to the history of our National Anthem. The students will learn more about our nation’s anthem as a song and as an important part of our history.
- Units 2 & 3 Vocabulary Packet
- Notes, Rests, & Beat Values Chart
- Meter Signature Handout
- Meter Signature Packet (Quiz #12-15)
- Counting Beats in a Measure (Quiz #17-18)
- "Ragtime: It's a Cakewalk" Article
- "Ragtime: It's a Cakewalk" Worksheet
- Scott Joplin Worksheet
- The Case of the Missing Dots Worksheet
- Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
- "Star Spangled Banner" In Your Own Words
- Star Spangled Banner Article
- Star Spangled Banner Article Word Chart
- Star Spangled Banner Worksheet
- National Anthem Essay
- Carmen Worksheet
AMERICAN COMPOSERS: The students will do a research project on the life of a chosen American composer and create a book commemorating their life and career. The book will include a biography, song list, pictures of the composer, and much more.
UNIT 3: Rhythm Everywhere: This unit is a further exploration of rhythms which include dotted patterns, triplets, syncopated and non-syncopated rhythms. This unit focuses on melodic patterns. We will identify specific melodies through listening to different tone colors, textures, dynamics, tonality, and mood. We will focus on major and minor scales. We will explore the many facets of melody as we listen to Classical and Romantic composers such as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
- Unit 4, 5, & 6 Vocabulary Packet
- "Composing for the Symphony" Article
- "Composing for the Symphony" Worksheet
- Ludwig von Beethoven Biography
- Ludwig von Beethoven Worksheet
- Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Biography and Worksheet
- Johann Sebastian Bach Biography and Worksheet
American Popular Music: In this unit, we will explore the origins of what we hear on the radio today. We will begin with the pop music of the 1920’s and continue until we reach the popular music of today. Students will be exposed to “pop” music from each decade beginning with the 1920s. In this unit, we will spend a lot of time discussing what makes a song “good” and what makes a song a “classic”. We will use materials from Rolling Stone magazine as we delve further into these cultural icons and their contributions to our culture and society.