Grade 9 - Structure (Elements of Expression)

This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that students will create, listen to, and perform music, demonstrating understanding of expressive and physical properties of harmony, texture, dynamics, tempo, timbre, and articulation.

It is expected that students will:

read and maintain a part accurately within complex harmonies and textures
apply an increasing range of dynamics, tempos, timbres, and articulations in classroom repertoire
evaluate the use of the elements of expression in performing and listening repertoire
describe the elements of expression using appropriate music terminology
describe the elements of expression in terms of the physical properties of sound

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Structure (Elements of Expression) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Students practise reading and maintaining independent parts by performing rounds and canons. They perform parts other than their own from their repertoires and discuss how their parts fit with the other parts.
Students create a dictionary of music terminology for younger students, including devices such as mind maps, drawings, recordings, and collages.
During ensemble work, students vote or achieve consensus on choices in the elements of expression. Students listen to different performances of the same composition (including student performances), comparing and contrasting the use of the elements of expression. Have students record themselves performing short phrases or excerpts. Students listen to two of these recordings and analyse the differences in the use of the elements of expression.
Complete a scientific analysis of a short phrase of music, describing the elements of expression as physical properties of sound.
Plan a radio commercial to sell a chosen product (e.g., chocolate bar, blue jeans, sports franchise). Select or create a piece of music for the advertisement. Describe how the elements of expression have been used to evoke images of the product.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Have students work independently on a computer to experiment with the elements of expression. Observe students as they work through a computer-assisted instruction package to complete various activities. Look for the use of experimentation with the elements of expression as students compose and solve problems.
After students have listened to a movie soundtrack, have them brainstorm ideas for a class video clip production that visually represents various elements of expression. Encourage discussion on the general mood that could be created by the video and how the mood relates to a particular element. Assess how students apply understanding of each element to their discussion by observing students as they plan. Note how students justify their suggestions and how they offer constructive criticisms of other students' suggestions.
As part of regular listening activities, have students listen to different performances of the same composition. Ask them to use appropriate music terminology to describe any differences in the elements of expression. Examine students' responses for evidence of their abilities to differentiate among subtle variations in the meanings of the terms.
Students demonstrate their ability to analyse their choices in the elements of expression reflected in their performing repertoires when they discuss choices or changes during ensemble work. As they work to develop consensus on choices or changes to the elements of expression, listen to their discussions for evidence that they understand the impact of the elements of expression on the ensemble's performance.