Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Musical Pizza Fractions

3rd grade classes have been learning how music and math are very closely related!  I used pizza fractions to illustrate how the music notes got their names.  I also used this as a way to introduce the 16th notes which they will be learning about next year in 4th grade.


I made this felt pizza my first year of teaching (9 years ago) and it has held up pretty well!  I handed out the pizza slices and had the students take turns coming up to help build the pizza.  As they created each layer, we talked about that note, its value, and its equivalent fraction. 


Next, I taught this song called "Pizza Rondo" (written by J.R. Fretz) and we added Orff accompaniment.


 Then, we created contrasting sections using these poems that go along with each layer of the pizza.


 We combined all of these parts and put together a performance for their teachers!  Our principal even got to come see one of them.  :)  I chose a few students to perform on instruments and the other students created the layers on the pizza as we performed the poems in Rondo form:





Our finished product:


Update: Here is a copy of the melody and Orff Arrangement. So many of you have been asking and I haven't been able to locate a copy of this song elsewhere for purchase so I think I am safe posting this. Let me know otherwise. :)

88 comments:

  1. What is the melody for the pizza song? Cute idea!!

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    1. Thanks, Kim! Let me know your e-mail adress and I'll send it to you. :)

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    2. Can you please send me the melody? :) My email is nevena3vic@gmail.com

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    3. Can you please send me the melody for this song? :) My email is nevena3vic@gmail.com

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    4. Could you please send me the pizza notebook file and melody for the song as well? My email is: lynn_nakamoto@notes.k12.hi.us

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  2. Hi,

    I love your musical pizza notebook file. Is it on the SMARTboard exchange, or did you create it? Would I be able to use it? Thanks!

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    1. Thanks! I made it using Smart Notebook. I would be glad to send it to you if you send me your e-mail! :)

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  3. Hi Clare,
    I love this lesson idea! I see based on previous comments that you've emailed the melody out to the song. My email is rhagar@jasper.k12.ar.us I'd love to have a copy if you don't mind! Thanks!

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  4. Hi Clare! Thanks so much for your blog. This lesson looks great - would you mind sending me the music? my email is rhagar@jasper.k12.ar.us Thank you so much!

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  5. Hi again, Clare! Is there an orff arrangement for this too? I would love to see a copy of the lesson, if you don't mind. My email is ashleyporter1008@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  6. I'd love the music as well! keychangesmts@gmail.com

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  7. Hello, This lesson looks so great! Would you mind emailing me the smart file and any melodies or orff arrangements? I would really appreciate it. djmain2@hotmail.com

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  8. This is great! I'd also love the smart file/melodies! My email is feddersd9126@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing such a great idea! :)

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  9. May I also have a copy of this melody?

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    1. I would love to! Can you send me your e-mail address?

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    2. me too please, Can you please send me the melody? CarolineKrapf@gmail.com

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  10. This is great and will fit well into teaching a lesson that incorporates math skills which will be required at our school. Would you be willing to share all of your resources, music, Orff and Smart board information?
    zblewskicd@litewire.net
    Thank you so much. So creative.

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  11. Looks like a lot of fun! Such a great idea to get the kids to understand. May I also ask for the music and resources to be emailed? My email address is celestecoetzee123@gmail.com.
    Thank you for all your ideas, very inspiring!
    Regards,
    Celeste'

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  12. Hi! I stumbled across your blog on Pinterest and I've spent so much time reading through past posts! I'm especially interested in this rhythm pizza lesson, and would love if you could send me the Smart board file an the resources?
    Thank you THANK YOU!!!

    -E. Volek
    evolek26@gmail.com

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  13. This is a great concept. I'm currently collaborating with third and forth grade about fractions. Is there any way you could send me this file? Your blog is amazing and I truly enjoy reading it!

    -Veronica Will
    vwill@rbwileyccs.org

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  14. Thanks so much for so freely sharing your creations and ideas. I would also love a copy of the melody for the Pizza song please. bchesbro@jcsd1.us

    Thanks so much,

    Belinda Chesbro
    Buffalo, WY

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing... Iove the pizza activity. Will you email me the melody and any other activity that go along with it. Quanda4jps@aol.com

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  16. This is a great lesson for 3rd and 4th graders! Could you please send me the melody and file? My kids will love this activity! nicole.hice@fwisd.org

    Thank You!
    Nicole Hice

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  17. Hi!
    I'm a music teacher from the Netherlands and would love to use your pizza song as well. Could you please send me the music? Aboer.odm@gmail.com
    Thanks!
    Anne Boer

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  18. Hi! I am a music teacher from Arizona and would love to use the melody of pizza song and orff lesson with my 4th graders! Could you email me at TLOO@me.com? Thanks so Much!
    Theresa Looker

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  19. Hi, I've been given the role of performing arts at my school next year.. I've never taught it before and its the school's first year introducing it. I'm starting with music in term one and was researching ideas when I found this site. This looks great and i love the layout of your classroom. If possible, could i also grab a copy of this lesson pus the pizza song. My email is tillack.jacinta.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
    Thanks,
    Jacinta

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  20. This is great! Could you send me the melody and arrangement as well? I already have a 'pizza chart' in my room that I use, and I know that my kids would love it! heatherfelsted@gmail.com

    Thanks!!
    Heather

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  21. That is cute. I also love the musical fractions picture.

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  22. I LOVE this lesson!!!
    Please forward it to me!
    luv2sing@swbell.net
    Shelli

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  23. Wow! This is so awesome! I love it! I would like to use it in my classroom and specifically on Monday as I speak with teachers about how music and math can be integrated. I would love the melody and any other things you could share regarding music and math. I did have a question.... did you only have 1 pizza for the entire class that you all worked together on, or did you have more than one? kimmarie@nissicreative.com

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  24. Would you mind sending the melody to another teacher too! This is a great plan! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. kgriffin@qf.org.qa

    Kim
    Doha, Qatar

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  25. Clare,
    I LOVE this lesson. Could I please receive the information so that I may use it with my classes? paula.powell@cobbk12.org Your blog is GREAT...thank you!

    Paula Jo

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  26. So happy to have come across your blog! I am a homeschool mom & would appreciate it if you could share the resources with me :) Thank you so very much!! [lauramuldoon7@gmail.com]

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  28. Hi Clare. This is my first year teaching music and I would also love to have the pizza/fraction information. I am so motivated and inspired by your thoughts and posts. Thank you for sharing! mmoser@morgansd.org

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  29. I love this! can I get a copy of your Smartboard lesson? amyeschepp@gmail.com

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  30. I just found your wonderful blog and would love to have the melody for this rondo. I'm teaching an inservice lesson in April on form (among other things) and this would be such a great addition. My email is kgarlick@dsdmail.net. Thanks!

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  31. Hi there! This is a great lesson and I'd love to have the music! If you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd really appreciate it! courtney_smith@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

    Thank you!!!

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  32. Hi! This looks like amazing lesson!! Would you mind sending a copy of the melody to the pizza rondo song? my e-mail is aefowler87@gmail.com

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  33. I would love to have this too if possible: calamitykak@hotmail.com

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  34. Your blog has so much inspiration for me! I would LOVE if you could forward me the information for this lesson! emma.moore@franklin.kyschools.us

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  35. would love info, too. Gonna have my student teacher work on this. mauldinb@bellsouth.net

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  36. Hi there, I would love to use this lesson as well. Could you please forward me the melody and orff arrangement. Thank you so much :) My email is kristaschilter@hotmail.com.

    p.s. I do also have a smartboard if you can pass along the smartboard lesson. Thank you so much!! Your blog is an inspiration.

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  37. Is there any way I can get a copy of the melody/orff arrangement? I'd love to use this with my classes! My e-mail is jnpasour@gmail.com.

    Thanks so much!

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  38. Would also love a copy of the music and orff arrangements. Looks great! TY so much, Kendra
    kparker@mtsd.org or kparker427@roadrunner.com

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  39. Would love a copy of the song and orff arrangements. Looks great! TY so much! Kendra
    kparker@mtsd.org or kparker427@roadrunner.com

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  40. I would love a copy of the song and orff arrangement. Thank you for your wonderful ideas

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Can you send me your e-mail address? Thanks! :)

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  41. Hi Clare! Thanks for this it is so great! Would you mind sending me the melody and orff accompaniment? My email address is katie.brauer@doane.edu. Thanks!!

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  42. I would love the smartboard file of this song. My email is mcmahonchristine24@gmail.com

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  43. Great way to connect music and math. Could I also get a copy of the file? Thank you so much. jjaccaud@gmail.com

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  44. Hi Clare,
    Would you be able to send me the Orff arrangement and Smart Board file as well?
    Thank you so much!
    chelsea.foulston@epsb.ca

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  45. I have been looking for this song ever since our music teacher did it years ago! She retired and now I can't find it. I'd love for you to send it to me. Thanks for posting. You have a great blog! :-)
    sbantonelli@bellsouth.net

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  46. I have been looking for this song! Our music teacher did it years ago and now she is retired and I can't find it anywhere. I'd really appreciate it if you could send it to me. Thanks! Great blog!
    sbantonelli@bellsouth.net

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  47. Hi again....I thought I sent a comment, but now I don't see it...Great lesson....would love the orff arrangement and sheet music of the melody if you wouldn't mind. Thanks! janjantacoman@hotmail.com

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  48. Great lesson! I'd love the orff arrangement and melody if you wouldn't mind sending it to me brittany.house@rcstn.net
    Thanks!

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  49. Great lesson! Would you mind sending me the melody and orff arrangement?
    brittany.house@rcstn.net

    Thanks!

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  50. Could I have the melody and orff arrangement as well? thecrockettfam@gmail.com Getting ready to start my 1st year as an elementary music teacher (3rd and 4th grades)! I really like your site. Thank you!

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  51. This is too cute! Please can I have the melody and orff arrangement as well? shlalmagiu@gmail.com Thank you!

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    1. Hi Suzanne! I tried to send the music to your gmail provided and it came back to me. :( Do you have another e-mail address I could try?

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  52. I just found your blog. What a treasure chest of wonderful ideas! Can you please send me a copy of this lesson with the song and orff accomp? Thank you! amyu@fsusd.org

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  53. I would love to have the melody and Orff arrangement as well. So cute! I already use a pizza manipulative in centers, so this would go great with that. Love your blog. iredmond@wpschools.net

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  54. Hi Clare,
    I love this pizza song. Could I also have the Orff arrangement and the SmartBoard file? Thank you so much,
    MusicMarian2@gmail.com

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  55. I would love the sheet music for the melody and orff accompaniment as well as the Smartboard file. msmusic711@aol.com

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  56. LOVE IT!!!! mcarlson_28@yahoo.com

    I would love the melody:)

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  57. I was so excited to find this song, melody, Orff accomp and that you are willing to share the SMART file. I sent an email to your contact listed but wasn't sure if it will arrive. I'd love to have the SMART file to use if possible. Also curious about making the actual pizza. Is the base whole note layer glued to cardboard (like an actual pizza base?) or other material? My gmail might be the best to use for the SMART file (?): gibson.christy2@gmail.com I always seem to have students struggle with note values/names-especially with high mobility rate. THANK YOU!

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    1. Hi Christy!
      I just emailed you the Smart Notebook file. I glued a layer of plain black to a piece of cardboard and then made the whole note piece separate so the kids could see the layers. :) Thanks for reading!

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  58. Hi Christy,
    If available could you please send me the Smart Notebook file of the pizza activities. I am a brand new music teacher of K-8 and need resources. Love this site! Thank you, Meg

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    1. I would love to share! Can you share your e-mail? Thanks! :)

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    2. I would love to share! Can you share your e-mail? Thanks! :)

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  59. I would also love a copy of the Smart Notebook file! My email is Camia28@aol.com. Thank you!

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  60. I would love a copy!louisef3988@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Lou - The song is attached to the bottom of this blog post. Enjoy! :)

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  61. Hi Clare. Fabulous! I also love your pizza slices. Bravo!

    May I have permission to use this in my classroom? Thank you.

    Gloria Sandoval

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  62. I love your lesson! The pizza is fabulous too. May I have permission to use this in my classroom?

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  63. May I please have SMART Board file as well? Will you please email it to gloria2555@yahoo.com.

    Thank you

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  64. Would you mind sending the SMART Board file (or PDF if you have it)? My email is hnarvesen@west-fargo.k12.nd.us. Thanks so much!

    Heidi

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  66. Hello! Can I also have the SMART Board file or PDF? My email is amiraviola@gmail.com

    Thank you!

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  67. Love you idea with the Pizza Rondo. I have been using pizza to help kids understand rhythm but this is a new level of awesomeness with the song. Could you share the files please: tbferguson@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  68. I love this idea! I would love to use this with my 3rd graders and have them perform it during a Nine Weeks Awards Assembly. Would you be willing to email me the Smart Board file? My email is burke@pitt.k12.nc.us. Thank you so much for sharing this!

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  69. Love this! Would you mind sending me a copy of the Smart notebook file please? deanna.aaron@wylieisd.net Thanks for sharing!!!

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  70. If you are still sending this out .... I would love a copy. carlamurray@tcpenguin.net

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  71. If you are still sending this out... I would love a copy. This is a great way to tie several of my lessons together. carlamurray@tcpenguin.net

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  72. I was wondering TOO if you are still sending this music out. I would LOVE to work with our music teacher to include this song in our fraction unit jamie@jamieewing.com

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    1. Hi! Click on the link at the bottom of the post to get a copy. Enjoy! :)

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