Elementary Strings
The strings program is an optional program available to fifth-grade students.
The standards for Elementary Instrumental Music enable students to begin receiving instruction on a string instrument of their choice with guidance from the music teacher. Students identify parts of the instrument and demonstrate proper instrument care, playing posture, instrument positions, fingerings, embouchure, and tone production. Music literacy skills are emphasized as students read, notate, and perform music. Students begin to respond to, describe, interpret, and evaluate works of music both as performers and listeners. Students use a creative process to identify and apply the skills involved in creating original work. Opportunities are provided for students to participate in local and district music events as appropriate to their level, ability, and interest.
Elementary Strings Curriculum
Fifth Grade
Elementary Strings Pacing and Unit Guides
Fifth Grade Strings students in Prince William County Public Schools will learn the 2020 VDOE Fine Arts Website set by the Virginia Department of Education. Students will experience the following units in this course:
Quarter 1
Unit 1: Preparatory Playing Procedures--Selection, Parts, and Care of the Instrument
This unit focuses on demonstrating preparatory instrumental basics and playing procedures. This initial unit may start before the first Strings Classes as the teacher promotes enrollment by demonstrating and teaching about the instruments offered. Once students enroll in class and have made their instrument choice, basic instrument and case care should be taught prior to sending instruments home. This should include learning about parts of the instrument and the parts that students are not allowed to touch or adjust yet.
Standards: EI.14 a-c
Unit 2: Tuning
This unit introduces beginning orchestra students to tuning their instruments. Students will identify important parts of the instrument used for tuning, explore different tuning devices and visual aids, and begin to develop their aural skills for tuning. With practice, students will gain independence and confidence with this technique.
Standards: EI.14 e
Unit 3: Posture and Playing Position
This unit focuses on proper instrumental techniques in EI.14 and EI.15, to include proper playing position and placing fingers correctly on the fingerboard. In Q1, the focus is on posture and playing position, and the introduction of notes on the D string. Q2 will add notes on the A string (vln/va/c) and G string (bass,) but will continue to focus on posture. Q3 can add G string and a continuous review of posture. Q4 should include an introduction to notes on the G, C & E strings, if not already introduced.
Standards: EI.14 d, EI.15 a
Quarter 2
Unit 4: Bowing, Tone, and Articulation
This unit introduces, refines, and builds upon right hand technique. Students learn proper pizzicato technique and bow hold. The students place the bow on the string, create and maintain a straight bow stroke to improve their tone quality. Finally, students build on their right hand skills to produce acceptable, tension-free, tone quality and to demonstrate basic articulations – staccato, legato, and two-note slurs.
Standards: EI.15 b, d
Unit 5: Practice Technique and Expectations
This unit addresses practice and goal setting for the beginning strings student. Students learn how to set a musical goal and work toward it. They also identify quality practice methods, and they integrate these methods into their personal practice sessions.
Standards: EI.2 c
Unit 6: Music Literacy--Rhythm
This unit focuses on developing rhythmic ability, in both reading and performing. In Q1, music terminology and quarter notes and rests are the focus. In Q2, additional music terminology will be added. In Q3, the remainder of the rhythms are added, except for dotted quarter which will be introduced in Q4
Standards: EI.12 a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Unit 7: Music Literacy--Note Reading
This unit focuses on Note Reading for music literacy. Q1 introduces vocabulary, musical symbols, open string notes on the staff, and D string notes. Q2 adds notes on the A string for vln/va/c and G string notes for bass. Q3 introduces naturals and Q4 adds notes on the other strings.
Standards: EI.12 a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Unit 8: Musicianship and Ensemble Skills
This unit focuses on EI.16 - musicianship and ensemble skills. This unit can be incorporated throughout the year in class and during concerts. Through this standard, students will begin to incorporate timbre, blend, balance, dynamic contrast, internal rhythmic pulse, and articulations into their musical performance to increase their musicality and expression. They will also improve their aural skills to build strong intonation on their instrument. Students will learn to follow a conductor, preparing for future performing ensembles.
Standards: EI.16 a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i
Unit 9: Scales
This unit introduces the D and G Major scales and explores half steps and whole steps.
Standards: EI.13 a, b
Unit 10: Performance, Ensemble Skills and Critique
This unit explains concerts in Elementary Strings. Students are expected to perform in three concerts per year, as per the PWCS Strategic Plan. They must learn how to use aural skills to provide a quality performance. As they grow into intermediate level musicians, it is important that they learn how to follow a conductor – demonstrating the ability to recognize basic gestures for expression, articulation, and rest/playing position. They may not have had prior experience as a performer or audience member in an orchestral setting, and they will need to learn proper etiquette for rehearsal and performances (as a musician or audience member). Finally, students will demonstrate knowledge of the functions of music – expressive, communicative, ceremonial, entertainment – through practice and performance of a wide variety of beginner literature
Standards: EI.5 a, b, c; EI.7
Quarter 3
Unit 11: Music Course Preparation
Students will gain knowledge about the various elective options available to them, understand the skills and benefits associated with being in the orchestra, and make choices that align with their interests and goals. This unit plan aims to empower students to make informed choices about their elective options while highlighting the valuable skills gained through orchestra participation.
Standards: EI.9
Unit 12: College and Career Readiness
The unit explores careers in music at an introductory level. Higher level curriculums will go more in-depth into the topic.
Standards: EI.9
Unit 13: Composition and Improvisation
Students will identify, examine, and apply steps of a creative process. They will apply these skills and begin to compose and improvise music at a beginningg level.
Standards: EI.1 a-c; EI.2 a, b
Unit 14: Technology and Intellectual Property
This unit covers the eighth and tenth Standards of Learning – intellectual property, culture, and technology. Students will learn about copyright and intellectual property, and they will apply it to music as a musician and as a consumer. Students will also learn about and identify ways in which culture and technology influence the development of music and musical styles.
Standards: EI.8; EI.10
Quarter 4
Unit 15: Cultural/Cross-Curricular/Historical Connections
This unit will be available on March 11, 2025.
Unit 16: Critical Thinking and Analysis
This unit will be available on March 11, 2025.
Unit 10: Performance, Ensemble Skills and Critique
This unit will be available on March 11, 2025.