De Smet Jesuit High School Course Curriculum Template

Course Title Jazz Lab Band

Grade Level Freshman and Sophomore

Creator(s) Mr. Mike Karpowicz

Department Fine Arts Department

Single Section Course __X___ or Multi-Section _____

Note: if the course is a multi-section course, collaborate with colleagues for the remainder of the design (below). If
it is a single-section course, move through the components as the only teacher designing this curriculum.

Course Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

This is course for students who already have the ability to play a musical instrument. Through this
course the will learn the style of jazz and how to play it. They will also learn improvisation as it
pertains to jazz. We will also study contemporary, pop and rock styles of music and how
improvisation pertains to those styles. Students will also study music theory and it’s importance to
all types of music.

Overall Course Objectives (what students will know, understand, and do when they leave the
course).

Students will be able to perform a jazz song in its entirety following the basic form which is melody,
improvised solos and return to the melody.
Students will be able to improvise within the structure of the song.
Students will be able to perform in an ensemble and have a repertoire of songs available to chose.

What system of standards does the course reply upon (eg. ASC Readiness Standards, Actfl
Standards) and why was the system chosen?

Missouri Fine Arts Standards

Approximate Number of Units in Course _10______

Complete the following pages for unit.
Unit 1 Title ____Basics of playing an instrument and basics of music theory

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

Playing the instruments – review some scales, scale types and simple chord progressions.
Music theory – review of notes, rhythms, scale structure.

General Unit Length 1 week

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Have the ability to play a simple chord progression as a group.

Learn how to “swing” 8th notes in the jazz style.
Play scales in at least one octave.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble by Mike Steinel

First Place for Jazz by Dean Sorenson
Essentials of Music Theory Textbook/Workbook

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

Each member will be able to play Page 6 Exercise 9 in the Essential Elements for Jazz Ensmble book
with correct notes, correct rhythms and correct style.
General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below
o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

Working on exercises in the book together.

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No ___X__

If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 2 Title ___________Jazz Ensemble Book, Theory Book and Jazz Songs
Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
 o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____

If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 3 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?
If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____

If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 4 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____

If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 5 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 6 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 7 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 8 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 9 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 10 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 11 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 12 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 13 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 14 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 15 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 16 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 17 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 18 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 19 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes

Unit 20 Title _______________________________________

Unit Descriptor (big ideas) (approximately 2 sentences)

General Unit Length ______weeks

Approximately _____ lessons in the unit.

Unit Objectives (what students will know and do, ref. standards here)

Unit Resources (materials, resources, websites, etc.)

Unit Assessments (type and frequency) – make a list below

o Possibilities for Common Assessment Pieces (among colleagues)?
o Any performance tasks? Where students apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate understanding in a real life situation?
o Any student self-assessment?
o Rubrics?

General Activities and HW Possibilities – make a list below

o Generally, how do you set the context through review and use of student
experiences? How do you engage students at the beginning of the unit?
o What activities engage students in the content and skills, both in class and as
homework?

If this is a multi-section course, is every teacher including this unit in the course?

Yes _____
No _____
If no, explain the disparity.

Considering the content and skills of this unit, what are possibilities for cross-curriculum work?
In other disciplines and in other classes across the curriculum?

Other notes