Peter and the Wolf

Every year, the 1st graders study "Peter and the Wolf". We learn about what an orchestra is and study each character and his/her instrument. Then, we read the story and listen to the music. After reading the story, we complete an activity sheet that matches each character to his/her instrument. Finally, we watch the movie. As an assessment, we complete the matching worksheet below. I play each character's theme while they take the test, so they don't just match the pictures, they match the music as well.

A completed matching project

Final assessment

Autumn Leaves

The 2nd graders have just learned about tied notes. We are practicing composing rhythms with tied notes using some leaves I cut out and laminated. A piece of string was used to tie two notes together. This activity is preparing us for half note later on, so we were able to tie together quarter notes and quarter rests.

Candy Wrapper Raps

For Halloween last week, the 3rd graders composed Candy Wrapper Raps. We ran out of time, so I didn't get to record everyone's and they didn't get a lot of time to practice, but you get the idea!

 

Invented Instruments

The 6th graders just completed one of my favorite units, Invented Instruments. We spent at least 3-4 weeks working on this project.

First, we discussed the 4 different ways we can classify instruments based on the way they make sound: aerophones (air vibrates), chordophones (a string vibrates), idiophones (solid matter vibrates), and membranophones (a stretched skin vibrates).

Then, we researched different instruments that we could make using common household items such as cans, string, paint, or wood. We spent a class in the computer lab looking up ideas for homemade instruments. Once they had decided on what to make, the students had to classify it as either a chordophone, aerophone, idiophone, or membranophone. They also had to make sure that their instrument made at least 3 different sounds and could play both loud and soft dynamic levels. All instruments needed to be decorated and finished looking.

One week was spent building the instruments (in class or at home) and then the next week was spent composing a sound piece that would be performed on the instrument. The sound piece had to last between 20-40 seconds and would be performed in front of the class. We used numbers, letters, or symbols to notate our pieces.

Here are some pictures of what the students created. You'll be amazed at how creative some of them were!