5th Grade Minor Scale Forms Lesson Plan

Topic: The minor scale

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify the sound and music notation for the three forms of the minor scale (Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, and Melodic Minor).
• Students will be able to compare and contrast the minor scale forms with the major scale.

Materials

• Classroom piano or keyboard
• Music notation worksheets (one for each student)

Warm-up

• Write the following scales on the board:Major, Minor, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor.
• Have students raise their hand when they recognize the name of a scale.
• For students who do not recognize a scale, have them listen for the sound of the scale and raise their hand when they recognize it.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the three forms of the minor scale: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic.
• Play each scale on the piano and have students identify it by name.
• Write each scale on the board and have students copy it into their notebooks.
• Discuss the differences between the three forms of the minor scale: natural, harmonic, and melodic.
• Natural minor uses the same notes as the relative major scale, but starts on the sixth scale degree.
• Harmonic minor raises the sixth scale degree by a half step and adds a sharp seventh scale degree.
• Melodic minor raises the third and sixth scale degrees by a half step, and adds a sharp seventh scale degree.

Guided Practice

• Play the three scale forms on the piano and have students identify them by name.
• Have students work in pairs, and ask them to identify the scale form of the scale being played.
• Play scale handouts on the piano and have students identify the scale form and label it on their sheet.

Independent Practice

• Have students create a music poster that illustrates and labels all three scale forms.
• Alternatively, have students create a short music skit that illustrates the different scale forms.

Closure

• Review the main characteristics of each scale form and how they compare to the major scale.
• Have students share something they learned about minor scale forms during the lesson.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice to assess their understanding of the material.
• Have students complete a quiz or worksheet that includes questions about the three minor scale forms and how they compare to the major scale.