Zoo Pals Compositions

The 2nd graders have been studying ABA Form. We used Zoo Pals plates to compose a piece in ABA Form and then added rhythmic body percussion. The students were put into groups of threes to create their piece, practice it, and then perform it for the class.

Music Symbol Centers

The 5th graders have been studying all of the music symbols from our classroom rug. They need to be able to identify each symbol and explain what it means. To help us practice, we did Music Symbol Stations. There were 4 stations: Symbol Sorry, Symbol Race, Swat the Symbol, and Music Symbol Bingo. Here are some pictures of the kids playing the games at each station.

 

Music Symbol Bingo:
The students create their own cards first.

Symbol Sorry:
Much like the board game Sorry!, only they have to name the music symbol they land on.

Swat the Symbol:
A caller calls out the name of a symbol and the students race to swat it on the board with flyswatters.

Symbol Race:
Students race to see who can correctly identify the most symbols. They place a marker on each square they answer correctly. The person with the most markers wins.

 

Instrument Inventions

I found a great lesson on a blog I follow (http://bethsmusicnotes.blogspot.com) for creating instruments. First, we studied Ethnomusicology-The study of instruments of the world. We learned that there are 4 categories of world instruments based on what vibrates to make their sounds. Aerophones (air), Chordophones (strings), Membranophones (stretched skin), & Idiophones (solid matter). We then set out to create our own instruments to fit into one of these categories. Instruments were to be made from everyday household materials and had to make at least 3 sounds. No labels or brand names were allowed to be showing and they were to look professional. The instruments they came up with far exceeded my expectations!

After creating their instruments, they then had to compose a sound piece and perform it for the class. A sound piece is a modern form of composition that uses symbols, shapes, colors, and numbers rather than traditional music notation. They needed to include dynamics and it had to be between 20 & 40 seconds long. These were also great! I've posted pictures below of a few of the instruments and sound pieces that were created.

Idiophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone

Idiophone

Chordophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone (top left), Membranophone (top middle), Aerophone & Idiophone (top right)
Sound Piece to go with the Chordophone next to it (bottom)

Membranophone & Sound Piece

Various Idiophones and Membranophones

Chordophone & Sound Piece

Idiophone

Sound Piece to go with the Idiophone pictured above.

Idiophone

Ahoy There, Mateys!!

The 3rd and 4th graders just completed their program, "How to Be A Pirate in Seven Easy Songs" by Greg Gilpin. We had hats, hooks, swords, eye patches, telescopes, treasure....and on and on! It was WONDERFUL!! The kids were pumped and the house was packed. I couldn't have asked for a better program. Here are a few pics from the night. A big shout-out to our principal who played the part of the "Pirate in training". What a great guy!

The 7 Rules of Bein' A Good Pirate

The Captain and his 1st Mate

Our "Special Pirate" is all dressed up!