Christa Cook

February 10, 2015

Lesson Plan 4
D Major Key Signature
Grade: 4th
Concepts: D Major scale
Key signature
Objectives/Assessment: The students will recognize a key signature in music, understand its
purpose, and identify the sharps (F# and C#) represented in the D Major key signature.
The students will write the note names for Matthews March in their music and correctly
identify F# and C# by reading and interpreting the key signature.
The students will play Matthews March with accurate notes (F# and C#) and rhythm.
Standard: S1C5PO105: explaining the function of the key signature, time signature, and
accidentals.
Materials: Instruments and bows
D Major tunes handout
Essential Elements 2000 p. 11-15, #31, 32, 43, 44
Pencils
Whiteboard and marker
Anticipatory set: 1-2 minute setup and tuning. Ready, set, go. Students stand and bring their
instruments into playing position.
Process:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Open string warm up

Open A & D escalators
DM scale, first tutti and then 3 part round, rhythm = pep-per-on-i piz-za
Please be seated and get out the DM tunes handout we worked on in class last week.
Open your book to page 11.
5. Review #31 and #32 on p.11, DM ascending and descending scale.
6. What symbol do you see in front of the Fs and Cs in numbers 31 and 32? Thats right,
we see a sharp sign telling us to play F# and C#. Locate your clef in numbers 31 and 32
and look at the space to the right of it. Now look at #44, Matthews March, and compare
what you see there. What do you see to the right of your clef? Yes, we see two sharp
signs. Were going to discuss another way that composers let us know what notes to play
in a piece key signatures.

7. Call on a student to read the definition of a key signature in the colored box on their
handout. So the DM key signature is just a faster way of letting us know that we need to
play F# and C#. Rather than writing a sharp sign in front of every F and C, the key
signature shows 2 sharps, letting us know that we will play F# and C# throughout the
piece.
8. Students write in the note names for Matthews March on their handout, taking care to
write F# and C# as per the key signature. Teachers circulate around the room and check
student work.
9. Students collectively check work each student reads off note names for one full
measure.
10. Lets play pizzicato. Students pluck through piece. Listen for F# and C#.
11. Lets review Mozart Melody now. Does it have a key signature? Play through arco.
Review ABA form.
12. Closure: Please bring your handout back to class on Thursday. We will continue with
these tunes. Practice Matthews March at home, making sure that you follow the key
signature and play F# and C#.
Enrichment: Some students may have already completed writing the note names for
Matthews March in their part prior to this class. Those students may engage in silent left
hand practice of Matthews March while they wait for their classmates to finish.