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ES Performing Arts: Grade 3

UNITS

Central Idea:

A voice is an expressive instrument that can be developed.

Lines of Inquiry:

Skills that can be used to support expressive singing
How posture impacts singing
Breathing for singing

Essential Questions:

What is singing?
How can physical elements affect a voice?
How can what is heard be used to develop a voice?
How can we communicate with an audience using an expressive voice?

Central Idea:

Dance is an important part of a community's social and cultural expression.

Lines of Inquiry:

Heritage being represented through dance
Social aspsects of dance in culture
Connections between musical elements and dance

Essential Questions:

How does dance reflect aspects of a group's culture?
Why and how are dances different:
What skills and understanding are needed in social and cultural dance?
Why do we dance?

Central Idea:

Characters can be represented using different elements through performing arts media.

Lines of Inquiry:

What elements of music and drama can be used to represent different characters
What aspects of character can be portrayed
What a performer needs to be able to represent different characters

Essential Questions:

How can you become someone else?
What features or aspects of a character should a motif highlight?
What musical and dramatic elements can be used to represent a character?

Central Idea:

Composers are always searching for the right sound.

Lines of Inquiry:

Compare aspects of music from different times and places
Analyze different compositions describing how the musical elements enhance the message
Express themselves and individuals through musical composition

Essential Questions:

How can we describe sound?
What is the right sound?
What makes music have a specific mood?
How can the sounds be changed?
How does a composer know he or she has made the right choice?
Why does it matter?

Central Idea:

Performing artists need knowledge, skills, and attitudes to improve their performances.

Lines of Inquiry:

Why artists strive to improve their performance
How artists strive to improve their performance
What artists seek to improve in their performances

Essential Questions:

What makes an effective performer?
What elements can you improve in your playing?
How do you know your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you stop yourself from giving up?

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