- Definition
When people or instruments play or sing in unison, they are all making the exact same sound at the same time.
When everyone in the class sings the same note of a song together, they are singing in unison.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Unison is like when everyone sings 'Happy Birthday' at the same time, using the same notes.
Ask your child: Can we try humming the same sound at the same time?
Common mix-up: Kids may think unison just means singing at the same time. Unison means singing the exact same note at the same time.
Examples
- Two friends humming the exact same note together.
- The whole family singing 'Happy Birthday' on the same notes.
unison is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 The Arts
- Grade 2 The Arts
- Grade 3 The Arts
- Grade 4 The Arts
- Grade 5 The Arts
- Grade 6 The Arts
- Grade 7 The Arts
+1 more mention across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
