Third graders learn that some instruments play high and low notes while others mainly keep the beat, and sort real instruments into pitched and unpitched groups.
Students will be able to…
Some instruments play tunes and others keep the beat. What separates a pitched instrument from an unpitched one, and how can you tell?
Project this and sort each instrument into pitched or unpitched — tap an instrument, then tap where it belongs.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A xylophone plays a tune; a drum keeps the beat. Both are instruments, so what makes them different?
Students sort pitched and unpitched instruments.
Students test for pitch.
Students build a mixed group.
Students reflect on instrument groups.
Aligned to the National Core Arts Standards (Music).
Demonstrate understanding of the structure in music selected for performance.
Describe how a response to music is informed by its elements.
Improvise rhythmic and melodic ideas.
Demonstrate understanding of expressive qualities in music.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students choose two pitched and two unpitched instruments and play a short pattern together, so the two jobs of instruments come to life. A printable instrument-sorting worksheet is in The Arts library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.