Curriculum / ELA / 1st Grade / Unit 5: Inspiring Artists and Musicians / Project
ELA
Unit 5
1st Grade
Project
Jump To
Experience how artists show feelings using drumming as a medium.
Feelings cards
Drums — 2 per class
We participate in the Amazon Associate program. This means that if you use this link to make an Amazon purchase, we receive a small portion of the proceeds, which support our non-profit mission.
In pairs, students will be given a feeling card and asked to drum to show that feeling. The class will then guess what feeling they were showing through music. This project address the unit question of why would someone make art through the musical intelligence. It builds on previous projects in this unit by exposing students to a non-visual type of artistic expression.
Suggested objectives and lesson structures for this project
Turn and Talk: How can artists show their feelings through art?
Explain to students that today we are going to be like Duke Ellington and show feelings by drumming!
Give drumming rules overview: gentle, flat hands – not punching; tap only on the top; pass the drum with two hands
Preview all the feeling word cards to review definitions (some are vocabulary words from earlier in the year)
Each pair of students will pull a feeling card and have 15 seconds to play a beat to show that feeling with no facial expressions. A few students can then guess. If they do not guess the feeling, the pair can play again this time with facial expressions. Again a few students can guess. If the feeling has still not been guessed the pair can reveal it.
Turn and Talk: How can music show feelings? Why do you think Duke Ellington used music to show his feelings?
SL.1.1 — Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups
Observe and describe paintings by different artists.
SL.1.1 SL.1.4 SL.1.6
Describe two key events from Horace’s childhood or early life.
L.1.1.j RI.1.3 RI.1.6 RI.1.7 SL.1.1
Describe what makes Horace Pippin’s art remarkable.
L.1.1.g L.1.1.j RI.1.3 RI.1.6 RI.1.8 SL.1.1
Explain why Jackson’s work is original.
L.1.1.g L.1.1.j RI.1.3 RI.1.8 SL.1.1
Describe two key facts about Don Lupe’s early life.
L.1.1.j RI.1.2 RI.1.3 SL.1.1
Explain why Don Lupe, or Posada, was influential.
Explain why Diego Rivera’s art is important.
Explain why Frida Kahlo was resourceful.
Explain what Jean-Michel was courageous.
Writing – 2 days
Write an opinion piece stating which artist is your favorite.
L.1.1.g L.1.1.j L.1.2.a L.1.2.b L.1.6 SL.1.1 W.1.1 W.1.5 W.1.7 W.1.8
Narrative – 3 days
Write a poem that describes one of the paintings studied in the unit.
L.1.2 SL.1.1 SL.1.2 W.1.3 W.1.5
Listen to and describe music by different artists.
Explain how the author shows that Duke Ellington was a genius.
L.1.1.j RI.1.3 RI.1.8 SL.1.1
Explain how prejudice and segregation influenced Marian.
Explain why Marian Anderson was courageous.
Describe Art Tatum using vocabulary from the unit.
Analyze why Robbie was persistent.
Explain why Robbie Robertson is an important part of the music world.
Explain what experiences Carlos had with music as a child and how they influenced him.
Analyze why the author titled the book When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana by Michael Mahin.
Explain three of the key elements of Hip Hop and how DJ Kool Herc helped to create each of them.
Explain what makes Trombone Shorty remarkable.
Opinion Writing – 3 days
Write an opinion piece stating which musician is your favorite and why.
L.1.1.g L.1.1.j L.1.2.a L.1.2.b L.1.2.c L.1.6 SL.1.1 W.1.1 W.1.5 W.1.7 W.1.8
Discussion & Writing
Discuss and debate unit essential questions.
SL.1.1 SL.1.4 SL.1.6 W.1.2
Assessment
Writing – 5 days
Participate in a shared research project about Misty Copeland.
W.1.2 W.1.5 W.1.7 W.1.8
Create a free account to access thousands of lesson plans.
Already have an account? Sign In
See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.
Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.
Yes
No
Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free