I combine the melody lessons with teaching about African American Spirituals. I begin with parts of the DVD below.
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
2. Introduce "Melody" = tune
- Remind them them that last year in 2nd grade, they learned the sol-feg syllables (I have them on a bulletin board.) so, la and mi. Curwen hand sign cards here.
3. Introduce 2nd slide of This Train and learn to sing.
- Pat on words “this train”.
- Tell students that this is an "African American Spiritual", explain the meaning of the lyrics
- On board, train pictures with rhythms.
- Count to 4 and pat the rhythms. (like train starting up) I begin by blowing train whistle, then I play F’s on piano while they pat rhythm on the board. Finish by singing song.
- Count to 4 and pat the rhythms. (like train starting up) I begin by blowing train whistle, then I play F’s on piano while they pat rhythm on the board. Finish by singing song.
Lesson 3
1. Don’t Laugh at Me
2. Follow Drinking Gourd (vs. 1)
Review melody, play solami
Show students the underground railroad websites and encourage them to look them up at home.
3. Review This Train
- Add instruments
Lesson 4
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Follow Drinking Gourd (vs. 1)
3. Introduce do, re, mi
- Show big staff on floor – mi, so, la
- Show where do, re, mi go on the staff
3. Play solami, use re, do as well as mi, so, la
4. Introduce another Spiritual: Oh, Won’t You Sit Down– students clap on “sit” while I sing.
- Teach “do, re”and echo “mi, re, do” – show xylophone bars on board
- Where in song is “mi, re, do” Discover “look around”.
- Put together with claps and hand signs.
- I show them xyl how to play the part.
- show xyl parts:
GD: Pat on “sit”, then clap on “sit” (alternate)
End: play mi, re, do (B-A-G)
5. Show: staff, treble (G) clef, G line, how to write do, re, mi.
Lesson 5
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Show notes of pentatonic scale on staff
Lesson 6
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Review: staff, treble (G) clef, G line, how to write pentatonic scale
3. Sun Don’t Set – add xyl part:
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Review how to write pentatonic scale
- Me draw G (pentatonic) scale on board - show pattern of steps and skips -
- Pass out purple felt staffs, students work in partners, I walk around and help
3. Solami game
- xylophones: F/C on half note beat, then “la so mi re do” (See "simpler version" on the bottom of the post)
Lesson 8
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Music Handwriting Practice – I show how to do first measure and eighth notes in measure #4. They finish, then show me, then go back to riser to practice how to play the patterns on paper xylophone.
3. When all done, I sing one of the patterns, they play on paper xylophone.
Lesson 9
1. Don’t Laugh
2. Pass out Handwriting Practice papers again.
- Paper xylophone practice
- Take turns on "real" xylophones
3. Teach Peas Porridge Hot chant
- Use patterns on paper to practice phrases in chant
- Play on paper xylophone
- Play on "real" xylophones
