Smithsonian Institution
The Vocal Blues: Created in the Deep South of the U.S.
Bring the sounds of the deep South vocal blues to the classroom with a Smithsonian Folkways lesson. In preparation, scholars listen to and count the 12 bar blues patterns in several works and identify the I, II, IV, and V chords as well...
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Vocal Exploration
Students explore vocal anatomy. In this biology/music lesson, students first learn vocabulary associated with the voice and body. They then use straws, microphones and recorders to differentiate between high and low pitches and...
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Focus on Harmony
Harmony is the focus of this band lesson. Upper graders play the Star Spangled Banner, while focusing on harmony, chords, and musical voice. This lesson includes several suggested cross-curricular activities.
Smithsonian Institution
Songs, Sounds and Stories from the Georgia Sea Islands
American music is the result of the influence of many cultures, including the traditions brought by the African slaves. Young scholars study the polyrhythms, the call-and-response format, and the vocal improvisations of the Gullah...
Curated OER
How to Sing and Play Happy Birthday
Here is a clever, and simple, lesson on how play the guitar while singing the Happy Birthday Song. There is media content embedded in the plan that allows learners to see a video of it being played, and to print out tabulature which...
Curated OER
Vibrations
Students explore how vibrations create sound by strumming a rubber band. They feel the vibration of their own vocal chords. Then they explore the motion of sound waves and echoes. They rely on their own hearing to locate others in their...
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Honor Choir Rehearsal
Students practice singing with complete vocal warm-ups in a unified tone. They perform sections of the following songs: "Lamentations of Jeremiah," "Soonah Will Be Done," and "Fairest Lord Jesus." As students sing, they practice...
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The Phenomenon of Sound: Waves
Students explore sound waves. In this sound waves activity, students brainstorm different sounds and how sounds move or travel. Students then create a KWL chart and work through six different lab activities to examine how sound waves...
![William Walton [1902-1983] LAM 102 Belshazzar's Feast (1931) Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/187380/large/cgrmlwnvbnzlcnqymdezmdmzmc0yotyxnc0xyjf3dwjklmpwzw.jpg?1414283722 "William Walton [1902-1983] LAM 102 Belshazzar's Feast (1931) Lesson Plan")
Curated OER
William Walton [1902-1983] LAM 102 Belshazzar's Feast (1931)
Students explore the musical composition of William Walton. In this listening exercise lesson, students answer the questions that are based upon the influences of the composition of the piece of music, Belshazzar's Feast.
Curated OER
Noise Underwater
Sixth graders predict with reasoning how a sound will be heard underwater and record and communicate their findings. They listen to the difference in the way noise sounds underwater verses out of water and relate this to how whales and...
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West Virginia Def PB Wants You!
Students write, adapt, and compose a song related to the West Virginia State Museum. In this music instructional activity, students create a composition for a work of visual art. Students incorporate major and minor melodies.
Curated OER
Music
Third graders study sound waves and vibrations. They sing a silly round in three parts.
Curated OER
Reading Food Labels
Students investigate the concept of phonemic awareness in order to help increase reading comprehension. The reading of food labels creates the context for the practice session. They pay particular attention to certain sounds that must be...
Curated OER
Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America Music In America
Students study early New Orleans Jazz music and recognize Louis Armstrong as an early jazz artist. They recognize the elements and roots of Jazz.
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Music - Lesson 16 - Songs
First graders determine that Spanish is the language spoken in Mexico before singing a number of Mexicans songs. They make maracas to use while singing Mexican songs. They sing the song, "La Cucaracha," in English realizing that it is a...
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A Wing and a Prayer
Fourth graders improvise missing harmony accompaniment for a soloist performing "The Star Spangled Banner." Groups select several familiar melodies that they can produce while individual students take turns improvising a new harmony part.
Curated OER
My Love and I - 2
High schoolers sing the song "My Love And I" by Sonja Poorman and Berta Poorman in this Music lesson for the High School SSA choir. The lesson is part of a unit that can be used to aid the performance and practice of the song in a choir...