Block, Paper, Scissors

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

1, 2

Overview

In this learning activity, students identify rhythms and demonstrate knowledge of note value by drawing them in 16 block grids. Students will need a piece of blank paper and a writing utensil. You can use any song the students know that has familiar rhythms for identification, or you can use the song provided, "Michael Finnegan". The lesson includes great visuals of how to make the 16-block grid. 

Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 1 - Music

AE17.MU.1.9

Read and perform rhythmic patterns using iconic or standard notation.

UP:AE17.MU.1.9

Vocabulary

Rhythm
  • Quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes
  • Strong/ weak beat
  • Steady beat/ rhythm
  • Allegro/ adagio
Melody
  • Pitch set: Mi, So, La
  • Steps/ skips/ repeated notes
  • Melodic direction
  • Modified staff
  • Line notes and space notes
Harmony/ texture
  • Rhythmic ostinati
  • Simple bordun
Form
  • AB, ABA
Expression
  • Legato, staccato
  • Piano (p), forte (f)
  • Classroom instrument classifications
  • Clarinet, trombone, cello, drum
  • Orchestral music: ballet
  • Non-Western music celebrations
Other
  • Proper singing posture
  • Age-appropriate pitch matching (C4 - C5)1
  • Mallet/ drumming technique — hands together

Essential Questions

EU: Analyzing creators' context and how they manipulate elements of music provides insight into their intent and informs performance.
EQ: How does understanding the structure and context of musical works inform performance?

Skills Examples

Performing
  • Sing or play music with attention to expressive elements such as dynamics and articulation
  • Perform music from a variety of cultural traditions, focusing on holidays and special days.
Creating
  • Create new verses for familiar songs.
  • Use manipulatives or movement to inform melodic contour.
Reading/ Writing
  • Write rhythmic phrases that include quarter notes and paired eighth notes using standard or iconic notation.
  • Read rhythmic phrases containing quarter notes, quarter rests, and paired eighth notes using standard or iconic notation.
  • Indicate melodic contour using manipulatives such as yarn, or by drawing lines that reflect the melodic contour.
  • Identify expressive markings in printed music.
Responding/ Evaluating
  • Determine the appropriate dynamics and articulation for different types of music (ex.
  • March = staccato, forte; lullaby = legato, piano).

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 2 - Music

AE17.MU.2.9

Read and perform rhythmic and melodic patterns using iconic or standard notation.

UP:AE17.MU.2.9

Vocabulary

Rhythm
  • Eighth note, eighth rest, half note, half rest, whole note, whole rest
  • Strong/ weak beat — 2/4; 3/4 meter
  • Accelerando/ ritardando
Melody
  • Pitch Set: Do , Re, Mi, So, La
  • Five-line staff
  • Treble clef
  • Names of lines/ spaces (treble staff)
Harmony
  • Melodic ostinati
  • Partner songs
Form
  • AAB, AABA, Rondo
  • Verse/ Refrain
Expression
  • Orchestral instrument families
  • Piano (p), forte (f)
  • Crescendo/ decrescendo
  • Orchestral Music: programmatic
  • Indigenous music: Native American
  • American music: slave songs, colonial folk songs
Other
  • Age-appropriate pitch matching (B3-D5)1
  • Mallet/ drumming technique: alternating hands

Essential Questions

EU: Analyzing creators' context and how they manipulate elements of music provides insight into their intent and informs performance.
EQ: How does understanding the structure and context of musical works inform performance?

Skills Examples

Performing
  • Perform age-appropriate music with attention to expressive markings indicated in the printed music.
Creating
  • Perform an improvised interlude to a known song, matching expression and rhythmic/melodic themes.
Reading/ Writing
  • Identify expressive markings in printed music.
  • Identify meter marking in printed music.
Responding/ Evaluating
  • Notate from dictation 8-beat rhythm patterns using standard notation.
  • Perform short melodic patterns from standard or iconic notation.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Teaching With Orff

License Type

Custom
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