Week 1 – All Classes

Lesson Focus: Getting to Know You, Rules & Procedures, Beginning Warm-ups, Intro to Sightreading

Grade Level(s): Middle School (6–8) & High School (Varsity)

Objectives

• Build classroom community and establish procedures.

• Demonstrate proper posture, breathing, and tone during warm-ups.

• Begin developing sightreading skills using solfège and rhythm counting.

Activities

• Day 1: Getting to Know You (Icebreaker activity, music preferences)

• Day 2: Review Rules & Procedures (discussion, practice entering/exiting, rehearsal etiquette)

• Day 3: Beginning Warm-ups (focus on posture, breath, resonance)

• Day 4: Intro to Sightreading (simple melodic/rhythmic patterns)

• Day 5: Reflection & Goal Setting (students share personal goals for choir)

Materials

• Seating chart

• Warm-up patterns (projected or printed)

• Sightreading sheets (Level 1)

• Student handbook for rules

TEKS Alignment

Middle School (§117.208):

   – (1)(A) Identify voices and instruments; demonstrate good posture and breathing.

   – (2)(A) Read and write rhythmic/melodic patterns in simple meters.

   – (3)(A) Perform with accurate pitch and rhythm during warm-ups and exercises.

   – (4)(A) Discuss personal and cultural music connections in “Getting to Know You.”

   – (5)(A) Evaluate individual and group performance during sightreading practice.

High School (§117.312):

   – (1)(A) Refine tone, intonation, and breath control during warm-ups.

   – (2)(A) Sight-read melodic and rhythmic exercises with accuracy.

   – (2)(B) Perform warm-ups and exercises with expression and proper style.

   – (3)(A) Discuss historical and cultural influences on students’ music preferences.

   – (4)(A) Reflect on ensemble balance and tone quality during sightreading.

Assessment

• Formative: Teacher observation of participation in warm-ups and icebreakers; accuracy in simple sightreading.

• Summative: Reflection sheet (student goals + self-assessment of participation).