Curated OER
Smithsonian Jazz Class: Benny Carter
Students play "Benny's Match Game" to learn about the life and career of Benny Carter. Students listen to samples of Benny Carter's music and create written responses that evaluate his music.
Curated OER
Rhythm - "Yankee Doodle Dandy"
First graders practice rhythm and beat. In this music lesson, 1st graders sing and clap to the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy". They find the rhythm of the music and practice making rhythm with other instruments.
Curated OER
DO YOU REMEMBER?
Students explore where a melody and melody fragments enter different voice parts, and adjusts dynamically to enable the listener to perceive these events. Each student uses a rubric to make critical evaluations of the performances.
Curated OER
Dynamics
First graders review Frere Jacques and perform crescendos and decrescendos. In this music lesson plan, 1st graders also learn about the dynamics of music including piano, forte, mezzo piano, and mezzo forte.
Curated OER
The 50 States
Fifth graders use maps and music to learn the 50 states. In this US Geography lesson, 5th graders map out a region of the United States and practice singing the song, The 50 States that Rhyme.
Curated OER
Broccoli
Students compose, notate, and evaluate their own rhythmic compositions using the song "Broccoli" for inspiration in this excellent elementary-level General Music lesson. Emphasis is placed upon four-measure patterns and the classic...
Curated OER
The Classical Period
Sixth graders are introduced to the classical period in music history. After listening to examples, they identify and describe the characteristics of music during this time period and research the main composers. Using the internet,...
Curated OER
Island Maracas
Students listen to Caribbean folk music and discuss maracas and their role in music. They construct and design pairs of maracas using paper mache, then perform a Puerto Rican folk song using their maracas.
Curated OER
Chance Dance Compositions
Fourth graders create dances through a randomly generated process (such as throwing a dice) and perform their dances for the class. Class work is based on Merce Cunningham's "Chance Dance" and includes walking, skipping hopping, and...
Curated OER
It's Waltz Time!
Students, after hearing and viewing a video of the waltz scene from the musical, "Cinderella," by Mary Rodgers, "physicalize" a three beat rhythm with accompaniment video and discuss and evaluate triple meter. They master a song in 3/4...
Curated OER
Tempo Contrasts in partner Dances
Students explore the differences in tempo through movement. In groups, students create an original dance phrase and illustrate both fast and slow movement. They share their observations and evaluate each dance according to originality...
Curated OER
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Third graders listen to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Using the music, they identify the high and low parts in the orchestal composition. They compare the elements of a story to the piece of music and respond to the music and state how...
Curated OER
Locomotor Dances
Students explore and perform locomotor movements. With partners, they combine the locomotor movements into a simple dance. The partner identifies three movements they observed. Students may be grouped into dancers for a performance.
Curated OER
Concert Ettiquette
Students investigate the concept of social ettiquette. They complete exercises that are targeted at finding the right kind of behavior to display while performing in a concert setting. They make a list of the most desirable behaviors for...
Curated OER
Dynamic Fun!
Students explore musical dynamics. In this music lesson, students define musical terms that relate to dynamics. Students sing "Little Bunny Foo-Foo" and apply the written dynamics to their singing voices. Students use specific body...
Curated OER
Rebus Writing Using Nursery Rhymes and a Book
Students write nursery rhyme rebus songs. In this music instructional activity, students practice writing rebuses as a class. Students then create their own rebus based upon "The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's".
Curated OER
Copyright, Sampling and Mashing
Students examine copyright laws in regard to sharing, sampling and mashing music. After listening to pieces of music, they create their own music sample by combining musical elements and expression. Students visit a specified website...
Curated OER
History of Christmas Carols
Students write the lyrics to their own Christmas carol. Through discussion and lecture, students become aware of the history of two Christmas carols. They memorize the lyrics to carols and perform them in class. Students use their...
Curated OER
Makeshift Tambourines
Students use everyday materials to make their own tambourines. As a class, they play the tambourines and discover beats and rhythms. They work on creating their own song and beat and play to the rest of the class to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Classical Greek Sculpture
Students create a sculpture of one of their classmates heads in the manner of the Greek sculptures. They apply the correct terminology into making their sculpture. They evaluate their own project and focus on areas to improve on.
Curated OER
Pop Art Ice Cream Painting
Students create paintings of ice cream treats using Pop Art as an inspiration while developing skills in painting in this 4th through 6th grade Art lesson. Included with the lesson are possible extensions and suggested evaluation rubric.
Curated OER
Music Dynamics - America the Beautiful
First graders sing America the Beautiful and understand the words to the song. In this singing social studies lesson, 1st graders become familiar with the images and vocabulary in America the Beautiful while singing the words.
Curated OER
Jazz in America
Students explore Free Jazz and Fusion by answering questions and listening to music.
Curated OER
Ambassador Satch, Superb Entertainer: 1950-1971
Students participated in guided listening lessons of Louis Armstrong's jazz music while interpreting his lyrics. They study his life as an entertainer and goodwill ambassador for the US.