Introduce Singing Improvisation

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Arts Education

Grade(s)

1

Overview

The teacher will introduce the improvisation lesson by using a poem. The students will sing a response after the teacher sings a question. The students will sing a conversation with a group or partner.

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 1 - Music

AE17.MU.1.1

Create musical ideas for a specific purpose.

UP:AE17.MU.1.1

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: The creative ideas, concepts, and feelings that influence musicians' work emerge from a variety of sources.
EQ: How do musicians generate creative ideas?

Skills Examples

Performing
  • Perform original rhythmic compositions containing quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes.
  • Perform original melodic compositions containing quarter note, quarter rest, paired eighth notes and using the pitches mi/so/la.
Creating
  • Improvise 4-beat melodic phrases containing mi/so/la, both vocally and on pitched percussion instruments.
  • Construct 4-beat rhythmic patterns using manipulatives, such as note cards, popsicle sticks, or blocks.
Reading/ Writing
  • Read 4-beat melodic phrases on a modified staff on which mi is indicated.
  • Notate from dictation 4-beat rhythm phrases using manipulatives such as note cards, popsicle sticks, or blocks.
  • Identify melodic patterns on a modified staff when played on a pitched instrument.
Responding/ Evaluating
  • Create rubric for evaluation of peer compositions.
  • With guidance, apply peer suggestions to personal compositions. Select an original composition for performance.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to improvise their own pattern singing sol and mi using words of their choice.

Activity Details

The teacher will introduce the lesson by speaking a familiar poem, such as "Humpty Dumpty". Have the students echo the poem until they are able to say the whole poem from memory. Sing the entire poem on sol. Next, sing the poem using sol for the first phrase and mi for the second phrase. Next, sing the poem alternating between so and mi for every beat. Switch between so and mi at random times. Have the students practicing singing the poem choosing when they want to use so or mi.

Next, the teacher will sing a question, such as "What's for dinner?" Have students sing their answers individually using so and mi. Divide the class into pairs and have the students sing conversations with each other. Demonstrate an example by singing a conversation between two puppets.

Example:

Puppet 1: Hello! How are you?

Puppet 2: I'm fine. Thank you.

Puppet 1: I really like your red shirt.

Puppet 2: Thanks. I like your blue hair.

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will walk around the room listening to the conversations between pairs. The teacher will observe the students and listen to hear if the students are singing on pitch and able to create their own answers.

Variation Tips

Students can work in pairs to write down a dialogue and perform it for their peers.

Background / Preparation

Prepare a poem to teach the class.

Have a pair of puppets close by.

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