Petrified...new UNIT!!

I am creating and teaching a new unit this quarter with my sixth graders.  This is a unit that I have been meaning to work on for years, and it is just happening now.  The opera project has died a long and dramatic death, and it is time for something new.  However, creating this project is taking some time and energy and a lot of gumption.  The good news is that I can use it as one of my smart goals, and I can also work on it during our professional development days because we are working on The Backwards Design and creating units using this method. 

Stage 1 - Desired Results

Established Goals (standard(s)):  1.) - Explain that the visual/performing arts help people understand history and/or world cultures. 2.)  Create their own compositions, using their understanding of notation, dynamics, and symbols. Enduring Understandings (big ideas):  1.)Students will remember how a composer’s life and experience affects his/her art, writing, and compositions. 2.)Students will remember how a composer connects astronomy, astrology with a piece of music.   3.)Students will remember how to approach creating their own compositions.