Instruments of the Orchestra Centers

Here is a sneak peak into some centers that 2nd graders recently did to help them practice identifying the Instruments of the Orchestra!

John Kanaka!

My third grade classes have been focusing on folk songs. We have added Orff accompaniment, learned the cross-over technique, and performed line dances. They really enjoyed our activity with the song John Kanaka!

First we talked about the history of the sea shanty:

Then, we learned the song and discussed how the steady beat of the song might have helped sailors get their work done more efficiently. As we listened, the students identified the macro and micro beats and we practiced by using a pat-clap-pat-clap pattern.

Next, the students transferred the macro/micro beats to a hand clapping game. First we practiced with paper plates:

Holding the plate flat with their left hands, students pat the plate with their right. Then, they clap their right hands beneath and plate, pat the plate again, and clap their hands above the plate. They continue this pattern throughout the song feeling the macro beat (patting the plate) and the micro beat (clapping hands below and above): plate, below, plate, above, plate, below, plate, above.

After they had a the movements down, we added tambourines and turned it into a circle dance!

We got really fancy and rotated our outer circle on the fermata! Great job, third graders!

Instruments of the Orchestra

Second grade classes are currently learning about the Instruments of the Orchestra. I love teaching about the orchestra but I always struggle to create interactive lessons to go along with this unit.

After teaching about the String Family, I had the students get into 5 groups. Each team received a picture of one of the stringed instruments, a dry erase marker, and eraser. They were asked to work as a team to write as many facts about their instrument as they remember from the lesson. They also enjoyed labeling the various parts of their instrument. 

I found that this was a great way to incorporate team work and also assess what they had learned from the lesson. Once each group was done, they shared their facts with the class and posted their instrument on the board for everyone to see. 

Snowflake Ballerinas!

What better to conclude our Nutcracker unit in 2nd grade than these beautiful Snowflake Ballerinas? I am always looking for novel and interactive ways to teach major works like The Nutcracker Ballet so when I found this on Pinterest, I was so excited!

My students really enjoyed watching the Dance of the Snowflakes while creating these precious ballerinas. Even the boys really got into it! We talked a little bit about tu-tus and pointe shoes as they were creating. It was a great way to keep energetic hands busy as we survive these last few days of school before Christmas break. ;)

A few helpful tips if you want to try this in your classroom:
- For some students that have a harder time with fine motor skills, I went ahead and folded the paper for them and let them cut out the shapes. It saved them some time and frustration.

- I recommend using something like a tray to catch the snowflake scraps. Otherwise, it takes FOREVER to clean up. I figured that one out pretty quickly. ;)
- If they can handle it, you can even have the kids move their ballerinas to the music. My students discovered that they float very nicely if tossed up gently.

You can find the directions and print-out here. Enjoy!

Here are my 2nd graders hard at work:

After they finished cutting out their snowflake, they had a chance to add some designs and color on their ballerina. Many enjoyed adding a face as well.

 

I love how this student drew a bun on the back. :)

So. Much. Fun!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from HSES! :)

Turkey Carols

Fourth graders have been creating Turkey Carols!

First, we talked about the words "tune" and "lyrics."

Next, we had a "Turkey Carol" sing-along as we looked at some examples. Then, students got with small groups and began to create their own. They picked a topic, chose a tune, and then got to work creating their own lyrics.

Finally they edited and wrote a final draft...

And performed them for the class:

Alabama Gal

Alabama Gal... what a fun song! Our fifth graders have really enjoyed learning this piece. After we learned the 4 verses, we added a fun line dance!

I also used this song to talk a little with them about syncopation.

Then, I challenged the students to figure out the melody to the song on their own. They worked with a partner and after being given the starting pitch, they were off! Once they discovered the melody and had a chance to practice, we created a performance including some dancers.

Great job, fifth graders! :)

Here is an Orff accompaniment that we might try after Thanksgiving break written by one of my favs, Deanna Stark. She has some GREAT free resources on her website: http://deannastark.weebly.com/

More Rhythm Centers

First graders have been working on basic rhythm patterns using quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests. They have really enjoyed these rhythm centers to help them practice and review.


1) Koosh Rhythms - Students take turns tossing the koosh ball at the board. When they hit a circle, a rhythm will pop up and they have to read that rhythm correctly to their team. You can download this game here.

2) Rhythm Bingo - I have the students take turns calling out the rhythms. That way I can assess their rhythm reading and identification. When they get 5 in a row, they call out, "Bingo" and the students check their answers.

3) Rhythm Caterpillar - I got this idea from Mrs. King's Music Class blog. Students roll the dice to determine which circle to put on the caterpillars' body. Once the body is filled in, students choose an instrument and play the rhythm together. This center is designed to exposed students to 8 beat patterns.

4) Musical Groceries - First, students work together to figure out the rhythm of each food item. Then students pick 4 foods and place one on each plate. Students then have to perform the food names with their appropriate rhythm. Here are some other "Musical Groceries" ideas.

5) Busted Rhythm Game - Students take turns pulling out popsicle sticks and reading the rhythms to their team. If they get the rhythm correct, they get to keep the stick. When someone pulls out a "Busted" stick that person has to put all of their collected sticks back in the container. The game continues until all the sticks are pulled and the one with the most sticks is the winner.