Music 8 Learning Coach Guide

Welcome Letter

Dear Learning Coach, 

Thank you for partnering with CCA and investing in your learner’s education. This Learning Coach Guide is intended to help you support your learner in their Music 8 course.

Within this guide, you will find the goals, components, and features of the online course. Please take time to read and review this information so you understand how to help your learner interact with all the course’s elements.

The Learning Coach Guide also includes information about each of the units in this course. On each page of unit information, you will discover the following.

• The Unit Overview will tell you what the focus, content, and skills of the unit will be.  
• The Unit Assessment section is a place for you and your learner to preview the graded work in the course. At the start of each unit, work with your learner to look at the unit in edio and find out which types of graded work are in this unit. Write them in the box and use it as a checklist. You can check off each one as your learner completes it. 
• The Unit Materials section tells you the materials your learner will need to complete the activities in this unit. You will also find the materials list repeated within each lesson so that your learner has exactly what they need at the right time. 
• The Unit Discussion Questions are optional questions that you may want to ask your learner during the unit to increase home and school connections about what your learner is studying.   
• In the Unit Notables section, you may find optional activities, technology tips, or ideas to help your learner if they get stuck.  

CCA wishes you and your learner a terrific school year! 

Supporting Your Learner

Your role as a Learning Coach is very important. Here are a few ways you can help your learner do their very best in the course.

• Help your learner know what time guided or live class instruction is scheduled for, and prompt them to attend sessions or watch recordings.
• Remember, it is okay for your learner to get stuck. Learning new material takes time. Encourage them to take breaks, keep trying, and even ask the teacher for help.
• Help your learner navigate technology. That may mean helping them type information or upload work into edio.
• Always encourage your learner to do their very best.
• Review the course syllabus for your learner’s course.
• Maintain communication with your learner’s teacher.

Part B

Course Information

Part B

Course Information

Part B: Course Information

Course Goals

In Music 8, your learner will continue to learn about the elements of music, including rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, tempo, dynamics, and form. Learners will explore music through time as they analyze works of art from music’s rich history. Learners will build advancing keyboarding skills to reinforce knowledge of the elements of music and make connections to music theory and performance. Learners will learn more about composing by creating an original composition relevant to their course studies. Projects and assignments are used to assess learning throughout each unit. Learners can also participate in guided classroom sessions with their teacher and classmates to discover, collaborate, and explore the world of music together.

By the end of the year, your learner will be able to:

• identify, describe, and analyze the seven elements of music through listening, notation, and composition skills;
• relate each element of music to various related musical concepts;
• investigate various musical time periods and connected composers, compositions, and characteristics throughout history;
• apply proper MIDI keyboarding skills that demonstrate an advancing understanding of reading and performing music;
• translate standard music notation into sound by accurately performing rhythms and pitches on the MIDI keyboard; and
• construct a short musical tune that utilizes elements of music to convey a specific theme or story.

Course Format

Lesson Components:

Each lesson, your learner will spend 45–60 minutes completing a music lesson. Some days may take less time, while other days may take a little more time. The lesson does not need to be completed in one sitting. Encourage your learner to take short breaks as they need.

This section will help you to understand how your learner’s course is structured in edio.

Lesson Bundling:

Within the lesson bundles, there are different components your learner will interact with. These components will not be used every day. An example is below.

1. Getting Started Lesson: There is one Getting Started lesson in this course. It can be found on Day 1 of Unit 1. This lesson includes important information about the course and contact information for your teacher.

2. Unit Overview: Each unit will include a unit overview. This describes what your learner will learn in the unit and how many assessments the unit will have.

3. Prep for Success: At the beginning of each unit, your learner will find a Prep for Success. This component offers learners tips to be successful in the course, such as study tips, important software information, safety reminders, and more.

4. Knowledge Check: There will be one Knowledge Check in Units 1, 2, and 3. The Knowledge Check is designed to check prior learning and understanding about key skills and concepts that will be taught in the unit. The Knowledge Check is not a graded assessment.

Each lesson has its own components to help guide your learner through the lesson.

1. Lesson Overview: At the beginning of every lesson, your learner will see the lesson overview. This section contains lesson objectives, lesson vocabulary, materials your learner will need for the lesson, and the suggested lesson length.

2. Engage: The first section of the lesson is Engage. In this section, learners will be introduced to the lesson by making a connection to past and present knowledge and will get ready for the lesson’s instruction.

3. Discover: New content and instruction is presented in the Discover section. Your learner will interact with the lesson content through defined vocabulary terms, videos, audio, and Pause and Think activities. Your learner will be able to practice and answer questions as they work through the lesson.

4. Show: Learners will demonstrate what they have learned in the lesson through a series of practice questions.

5. Wrap Up: This section recaps the day’s objectives and prepares learners for a future lesson or assessment.

The course includes assignments and projects. These graded assignments allow your learner to show what they have learned and apply their new skills. All CCA assignments and projects include these components.

1. Assessment Overview: At the beginning of each assessment, your learner will see the assessment overview. This section contains the goals of the assessment, materials your learner will need, length of the assessment, and directions for

completion.

2. Plan: In the Plan section, learners will be introduced to the assignment or project. Learners may be provided with a review of content from the previous lessons, strategies for completing the activity, graphic organizers, and grading rubrics.

3. Do: Learners put their plan into action and work to complete the assignment or project successfully. This section also provides the grading expectations and/or rubric the teacher will use to grade the work.

4. Reflect: In Reflect, learners will think back to the work they completed. They will reflect upon the experience and analyze how well they completed the task. These moments of reflection are important and allow learners to think about their learning and their work habits.

Course Features

This course includes and uses unique features such as: 

• Composition: When a learner completes a composition activity, assignment, or project, they will be composing (writing) music. Composition helps your learner to express their individual creativity through their unique taste for ​​​music. 
• The Elements of Music: The elements of music (often referred to as the building blocks of music) are rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, tempo, dynamics, and form. These seven items are highlighted and heavily referenced throughout your learner’s music course to teach them essential musical concepts and skills. 
• Listening Exercises: A listening exercise is meant to engage your learner by exposing them to music that aligns with the lesson concept being taught. A listening exercise will be indicated by an audio icon to signal your learner to prepare to use their ears. Listening exercises may ask your learner to think about something specific in the music, perform along with the example, or use the example to answer a question. 
• MuseScore: MuseScore is a computer program, specifically a music notation software, that will allow your learner to be creative and compose music. Please reach out to tech support if you cannot find MuseScore on your learner’s computer.
• Music Activity: A music activity is a part of a music lesson in which the learner will complete a hands-on activity to help enforce concepts they have learned in the lesson. Your learner may be asked to complete activities including but not limited to drawing a picture relating to music, dancing or moving their body to music, or performing with their instrument or voice. 
• Musical Instruments: Your learner will be provided with a hand drum and MIDI keyboard to enhance their knowledge and skill set throughout the course. Your learner will learn how to care for and use their musical instruments. These instruments will accompany concepts within the course that the instrument reinforces and will also help to form hand–eye coordination between reading music and performing. 

Part C: Unit Information

The Elements of Music Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will define and identify elements of music through listening, reading, and writing music. They will explore components of music that relate to each element. Your learner will apply their skills through performing and creating activities.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was your favorite part of this unit?

What element of music are you interested in learning more about?

What did you like or dislike about using the MuseScore software?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this Unit. Your learner may need help finding the software on their computer, or navigating the software once they have opened it. If they can’t find it or need more help, reach out to your learner’s teacher or tech support for assistance.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook, rhythm sticks, hand drum, mallet

Household Materials

pencil

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will define and identify elements of music through listening, reading, and writing music. They will explore components of music that relate to each element. Your learner will apply their skills through performing and creating activities.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was your favorite part of this unit?

What element of music are you interested in learning more about?

What did you like or dislike about using the MuseScore software?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this Unit. Your learner may need help finding the software on their computer, or navigating the software once they have opened it. If they can’t find it or need more help, reach out to your learner’s teacher or tech support for assistance.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook, rhythm sticks, hand drum, mallet

Household Materials

pencil

Music History Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will explore different eras of music as well as learn about notable characteristics and developments from each time period. They will examine and analyze musical compositions to continue to develop their music-reading and comprehension skills.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was an interesting fact you learned in this unit?

What music did you enjoy listening to in this unit?

What time period are you interested in learning more about?

Unit Notables

Your learner will have the option to complete their assignment using a downloadable Microsoft PowerPoint template. If your learner is unable to download the template or open Microsoft PowerPoint, reach out to your teacher or tech support for help.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook

Household Materials

pencil

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will explore different eras of music as well as learn about notable characteristics and developments from each time period. They will examine and analyze musical compositions to continue to develop their music-reading and comprehension skills.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was an interesting fact you learned in this unit?

What music did you enjoy listening to in this unit?

What time period are you interested in learning more about?

Unit Notables

Your learner will have the option to complete their assignment using a downloadable Microsoft PowerPoint template. If your learner is unable to download the template or open Microsoft PowerPoint, reach out to your teacher or tech support for help.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook

Household Materials

pencil

MIDI Keyboarding Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will learn how to play the MIDI keyboard with more than one hand at a time. They will use their music-reading skills to perform short keyboard exercises and musical excerpts. Your learner will also demonstrate and apply practice techniques to help them improve their skills over time.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was the most difficult part of playing the MIDI keyboard?

What skills did you develop or improve as you practiced?

How did playing the MIDI keyboard help you understand music?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this unit. They will need to have MuseScore open in order for their MIDI keyboard to make sound, even if they choose to use the printed music in their Music 8 Notebook.

Kit Materials

keyboard note stickers, manuscript notebook, MIDI keyboard, Music 8 Notebook, USB connector cord

Household Materials

pencil

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will learn how to play the MIDI keyboard with more than one hand at a time. They will use their music-reading skills to perform short keyboard exercises and musical excerpts. Your learner will also demonstrate and apply practice techniques to help them improve their skills over time.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was the most difficult part of playing the MIDI keyboard?

What skills did you develop or improve as you practiced?

How did playing the MIDI keyboard help you understand music?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this unit. They will need to have MuseScore open in order for their MIDI keyboard to make sound, even if they choose to use the printed music in their Music 8 Notebook.

Kit Materials

keyboard note stickers, manuscript notebook, MIDI keyboard, Music 8 Notebook, USB connector cord

Household Materials

pencil

Movie Composition Unit

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will use music notation software to create a short musical tune that includes musical elements and represents a character, setting, or event in a movie. Your learner will review and submit a finalized composition that shows growth and improvement. Your learner will then reflect on their learning throughout Music 8.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was your favorite unit or topic in this course?

What was one thing you learned in this unit?

What did you enjoy about composing music?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this unit. Your learner may need help finding the software on their computer or navigating the software once they have opened it. If they can’t find it or need more help, reach out to your teacher or tech support for assistance.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook, MIDI keyboard, USB connector cord

Household Materials

pencil

Unit Overview

In this unit, your learner will use music notation software to create a short musical tune that includes musical elements and represents a character, setting, or event in a movie. Your learner will review and submit a finalized composition that shows growth and improvement. Your learner will then reflect on their learning throughout Music 8.

Unit Assessments

Quiz _________________________

Test _________________________

Assignment ________________

Project _____________________

Exam _______________________

Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply.

Unit Discussion Questions

What was your favorite unit or topic in this course?

What was one thing you learned in this unit?

What did you enjoy about composing music?

Unit Notables

Your learner will be using the music notation software MuseScore in this unit. Your learner may need help finding the software on their computer or navigating the software once they have opened it. If they can’t find it or need more help, reach out to your teacher or tech support for assistance.

Kit Materials

manuscript notebook, MIDI keyboard, USB connector cord

Household Materials

pencil