Finale Lesson Plan

I. LESSON FOUNDATION
Lesson Title: Intro to Finale
Unit Title: Music Technology
Grade Level(s): 9th Grade
Subject Area(s)/Subject Content Explanation: General Music
Name: Stephanie Latella
Date: 11/15/16
Lesson Number w/in Unit: 1
Time Allotted: 20 Minutes
Standard(s)/Anchors:
MU:Pr4.3.T.Ia Demonstrate how understanding the context, expressive challenges, and use of
digital tools in a varied repertoire of music influence prepared or improvised performances.
MU:Pr6.1.T.Ia Using digital tools, demonstrate attention to technical accuracy and expressive
qualities in prepared and improvised performances of a varied repertoire of music.
Essential Question(s):
1) What is the most effective way to input music into Finale?
Instructional Objective(s):
Students will be able to:
1) Accurately input a song
from the book Sail Away by Eleanor G. Locke
2) Insert dynamics, articulations, text, and fermatas into the song
Formative Assessment:
1) Teacher Observation during lesson
Summative Assessment:
1) Student will turn in a printed copy of their work at the end of class.
II. LESSON BODY
INTRODUCTION:

1) Students will be asked to choose between two pieces of music to input into Finale as well
as a hand out with the printed directions

TEACHING PROCEDURES:
1) Students will be asked to choose between two pieces of music to input into Finale
2) Walk students through opening the Finale program
3) Instruct students to click on setup wizard
4) Click create new ensemble and engraved style
5) Students can choose from any of the C instruments that will be listed on the board and in
the handout
6) After students choose their instrument, they will begin typing in the title, composer and
arranger
7) Choose key- up for sharps and down for flats
8) Students will begin inputting song while teacher explains some of the shortcuts
9) Walk around to see if students are inputting correctly
10) When songs are put into Finale, start adding dynamics, articulations, accents, tempo
markings, and any bonus material
11) Walk around to ensure students are on track and understanding
12) Instruct students to print their completed work and hand it in by the end of class

CLOSURE:
1) Students will be asked to print their completed work and hand it in by the end of class.
III.
LESSON ESSENTIALS
DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
ADHD: The lesson is designed to hold the attention of the student. There is hands on material
incorporated into all aspects of the lesson.
Musical Ability: The lesson can be adapted by giving students shorter pieces with fewer
requirements.
Additional individualized strategies as mandated by IEPs and 504 plans include:

These may include a projector with class materials for students who are visually impaired, rubber
bands on the legs of the students chairs for stimulation when they are sitting down, stress balls,
a specialized seating plan, or a reward system.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES, MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY:
-Pieces selected from Sail Away book
-Finale 2014
-Projector

Intro to Finale Directions:

1) Click on launch pad, find the finale icon:
2) Click on the finale icon
3) Click on Setup Wizard
4) Create new ensemble and Engraved Style should already be highlighted. Click Next.
5) Choose one of the following instruments and click add:
a) Brass:
i)
Trumpet in C
ii)
Trombone
iii)
Euphonium
iv)
Tuba
b) Woodwinds:
i)
Flute
ii)
Oboe
c) Strings:
i)
Violin
ii)
Cello
6) Click Next
7) Enter the title, composer, and arranger (your name)
8) Click Next
9) Choose the time signature of your piece
10) Choose the key signature of your piece
a) Up for sharps, down for flats
b) Remember to choose major or minor (there is a drop down menu with those two
choices)
11) Enter the tempo marking
12) Does your piece have a pick up measure? If so, choose the value of the measure
13) Dont worry about measure numbers yet
14) Click Finish

Your Piece MUST include:

1) Dynamics
a) Crescendos and/or decrescendos
b) Dynamic markings
2) Articulation
3) Accents
4) At least one fermata
5) Tempo marking
Bonus points for the following items:
1) Trills or embellishments
2) Tempo alterations
3) Extra text
4) Expression markings

Finale Keyboard Shortcuts:

Note Values:
Whole Notes: 4
Half Notes: 2
Quarter Notes: 1
Eighth Notes: 5
Sixteenth Notes: 6
Note Alterations:
Dotted Notes: .
Ties: t
Flats: Sharps: +
Naturals: n
Windows (Go to Window tab and ensure these are checked):
Playback Controls
Main Tool Palette
Simple Entry Palette