This document provides a scope and sequence for beginner and intermediate string instrument instruction over 3 trimesters. For beginners, it introduces essential questions, repertoire, standards, and assessments focused on developing proper technique and music literacy. Repertoire includes songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb and Hot Cross Buns. For intermediates, it expands on technical skills like scales, positions, and bowings while adding repertoire such as Dance Monkey and Cantiga Roda. Assessments evaluate playing tests, note reading, and progress reports.

1. Scope and Sequence
Beginner
(4th/5th grade)
Essential Questions Repertoire/Resources Standards
(2014 National Core Arts,
Novice Ensemble strand)
Assessment
(Informal and Formal)
Trimester 1
(September/October-
January)
*Repertoire changes
depending on
students’ families
responses to interest
survey*
Plucking and finger
placement links to
guitar/ukulele study
in general music
• How do I hold my
instrument?
• How do I take care of my
instrument?
• What sounds can my
instrument make?
• How do I keep a steady
beat? How do musicians
count? (4/4 time)
• How do I pluck?
• What are the names of the
strings?
• What is a melody? What is a
harmony?
• What is call and response?
• How can I compose my own
music?
• How do I practice?
• How do I place my fingers
on the strings to make
different pitches (0123
violin/viola, 0134 cello)?
• How do I use the bow?
• How can I play as part of the
orchestra?
Posture Chant
Set-Up and Pack-Up Checklist
Spooky or Not-So-Spooky Sound
Effects
Rhythm Tree
ANTS/Strands of DNA
Lightly Row; Harmony
We Will Rock You- guitar solo/first
finger
Hot Cross Buns
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Au Claire de La Lune
Baby Shark
We Will Rock You- 321/431
Bow Games
MU:Cr2.1.E.5a;
MU:Cr3.2.E.5a
MU:Pr6.1.E.5a
Posture Imposter
Instrument Parts Quiz/Simon
Says
Spooky-Or-Not Sound Stories
Poison Rhythm; count-in as a
group vs solo
Open String Compositions
Practice Checklists for each
song
Solo/Duo time during group
lessons
Circled/marked spots in
music
Bow Games
Progress Report
Trimester 2
(January-March)
Note reading begins
after holiday/new
year break
• How do I prepare for a
performance?
• What are dynamics and how
can I play softer/louder?
• How do I use my 4th
finger
(violin/viola)?
Concert Checklist
Ode to Joy
Shipping Up to Boston
MU:Pr6.1.E.5a
MU:Pr5.3.E.5a
Recordings
Pre and Post-performance
reflection
Hide the Rosin
Peer Playing Checklist
Compliment Sandwich

2. Scope and Sequence
Do Re Mi Fa connects
to Musicals; The
Sound of Music
Do Re Mi Fa can also
connect to Mary Had
a Little Lamb
• What is a downbeat? What
is an upbeat?
• How do musicians count?
2/4
• How do I make a tunnel
with my left hand(cellos)?
• What is a scale? How do I
play the D scale? How do I
play the G scale?
• How do musicians read
music?
• What styles of music can I
play?
• What is a round and how do
I play one?
O Pastorzinho/Do Re Mi Fa
(https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=gjz9PM4iWWg and
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=C0G_HkBPW50)
Pictures of marked music
Britches Full of Stitches/fiddle
tunes
Frere Jacques
MU:Re7.2.E.5a
MU:Pr4.1.E.5a,
MU:Cn11.0.T.5a
Playing Test
“Pencil Test”
Scale Showdown/writing the
scale
Staff Wars/Note Reading
Challenge
Progress Report
Trimester 3
(March-June)
• What are bowings?
• What is tempo and how can
I play faster/slower?
• What styles of music can I
play?
Borboletinha
(https://youtu.be/28iW_O5qWfU)
Can-Can
Movie Themes: Star Wars,
Jurassic, Harry Potter, Disney, etc.
Videogame Themes: Mario, Wii,
etc.
Lean On Me (0 1 2 3 all one string)
Hand Clap
MU:Pr4.1.E.5a
Playing Test
Can-Can Race
Progress Report

3. Scope and Sequence
Intermediate
(5th grade/second
year)
Essential Questions Repertoire/Resources Standards
(2014 National Core
Arts, Novice/Intermedi-
ate Ensemble strand)
Assessment
(Informal and Formal)
Trimester 1
(September/October-
January)
*Repertoire changes
depending on
students’ families
responses to interest
survey*
• What do I remember about
playing my instrument?
• What do I remember about
reading music?
• How do I play the D and G
scales?
• How do I play a slur?
• How do I tune my
instrument with the fine
tuners?
• What is a hooked bow and
how do I play it?
• What are accidentals?
• How do I play an L2
(violin/viola)? How do I play
a 2 (cello)?
• How do I count in ¾ time?
First-Year Repertoire
Lightly Row Melody
Review Borboletinha melody, start
harmony/intermediate level
O Pastorzinho Verse and Level 4
Adams Family G string
Ear Training; ANTS/DNA
Dans Macabre
Batman
James Bond/Spy Movies
Hot Crossed Bones
Scarily We Creep Along
Thriller
Carol of the Bells; melody and
harmony
Progress Report
Trimester 2
(January-March)
C scale begins after
Winter Concert
• How do I play the C scale?
• 2 octave scales
• How do I play the A scale?
• Cellos: what are extensions?
Violin/Viola: How do I play a
High 3?
• What is theme and
variations?
Dance Monkey

4. Scope and Sequence
• How can I make my own
variation? Progress Report
Trimester 3
(March-June)
• How can I play my part
while different parts are
also being played?
• What is half position?
Cantiga Roda Levels 1-4 Melody and
Harmony
Can-Can melody and harmony
Lean On Me harmony/verse
Progress Report

5. Scope and Sequence