Fun with Trains and Grade 1 Composition!

I love doing my train themed unit with my grade 1-3 classes!  I collect my songs from various sources.

I love the Game Plan series by Kriske and Delelles! Two songs that I include in my unit for grade 1 are "Engine, Engine" and "Little Red Caboose".

Click HERE for more information about the book. If you haven't already started collecting these books and manipulatives... you need to!

The song that we spend several lessons on however is "Train Song" from "An Orff Mosaic from Canada", edited by Lois Birkenshaw-Fleming. My American friends- you need to get this! Canadian friends- most of you already have it! It's a staple for sure! Click HERE to check out this collection of songs!

Here is what my grade 1 classes do with "Train Song"

To extend our piece, my grade 1 students each composed a non-pitched percussion B section to play with our Train Song. First the class decided on instruments that they thought could simulate sounds a train would make. They decided on claves, hand drum, shaker egg, maraca, and sand blocks. 

In order to compose their music, students were given a "My Instrument Train" sheet that included train tracks. I pre-cut different coloured train cars and each student had to choose 4 to glue on to their train tracks. They then had to glue a white square on top of each coloured square. 

Each train car represents 4 beats. Students got to choose one instrument to draw in each train car (measure). They could repeat instruments, create a pattern, what ever they wanted. The only rule is that only one instrument could be drawn in a train car. 

Hahaha... this composition is shaker egg, maraca, shaker egg, maraca.

After completing the compositions, students each received an instrument and we played some of the children's rhythm trains! Playing the instrument trains was great practice for tracking, concentration, and beat. 

Next class, we will be organizing a rondo with out Train Song, by using the grade one compositions as B, C, D, E, etc. sections!

- Steph

Pete the Cat! Rocking in My School Shoes Composition Unit!

I have been working with my grade 3 class on creating music for the book "Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes". It is really coming to life! 

These are the steps we took before getting to our end result.

Step 1:

The first thing we did was read the book "Pete the Cat, Rocking in my School Shoes"

by James Dean and Eric Litwin.

Find it  HERE on Amazon.

Step 2:

The students then composed a melody (as a class) to match the reoccurring speech pattern from the book. We used a Smartnotebook file to help us.

We changed things and voted on ideas as we went along. Here is our final melody:

Click HERE for the FREE Smartnotebook file. It looks like this:

Step 3:

Next I divided my class into 4 groups. Each group represented an area from the story, where Pete was wearing his shoes. Each group was in charge of creating a soundscape to fit their area (busstop, lunchroom, library, playground). While choosing instruments and creating their soundscape, the groups were to write down shapes and lines that represented their composition (something that they could refer to later).

Step 4:

Next, students each created artwork that represented a "snapshot in time" of their group composition. They were to refer to their group composition notes for ideas. Using chalk pastels, each student drew their groups sound (I told them to imagine that they could see the sound and asked them what it would look like).

After drawing their sound in pastel, each student had to draw their school area in black marker. They made sure to include Pete in their drawing!

Step 5:

Finally we put it all together! We read the story, singing the song every time it came up in the book. Each group held up their "snapshot" and played their soundscape at the appropriate time in the story. It was so fun! The grade 3 class is sharing their story via Polycom (video conferencing) with a class from New Jersey tomorrow and we are so excited!

Pete on the playground!

Pete outside waiting for the bus!

Pete in the lunchroom!

Pete in the library!

What kinds of things do you do in your Music room with picture books? Please share!

- Steph





Click, Clack, Moo Composition Freebie!

I am currently finishing up tons of I Love To Read Month activities. I tried something new this year that is really working out! I am having older classes (grade 4 and 5) write recorder compositions inspired by books that the younger classes are currently using.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

My grade 4 classes are using a reoccurring rhythm pattern from "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type" to compose a BAG recorder piece in pairs. The pairs will then share the story and their composition with grade 2 classes students!

HERE is the free composition printable for you to use as you wish!

- Steph

Rhythm Sharks

I did these in January with my grade ones. I got the idea of making the sharks from Look at my Happy Rainbow . To make them musical and to reinforce grade 1 rhythms, each student had to write a 4 beat rhythm using ta, ti-ti or rest inside their shark's mouth! After they were finished, we clapped each of the shark rhythms together as a class.

I woud like to do the rhythm sharks again next year, but I think I will use construction paper rather than having the kids colour paper plates. That might look better!

- Steph

Back to the Basics

I sometimes forget that there is great value in simple activities that don't necessarily have tons of pizaaazz, props, and fancy visuals that I love!... especially when kids are developing their own musical ideas and sharing them with their peers.

During the last couple of weeks, I have really been working on reading standard notation with my grade 4 students before they begin learning recorder. Once we get into recorder, it can all become soooooo overwhelming: reading rhythm, reading melody, doing both simultaneously, figuring out a new instrument, and then doing all of those things at once.

I find boomwhackers so useful for students to use while reading music! It gives forces them to track, they don't have to worry about their instrument too much since it's so simple to play and it gives them a fun focus tool while working in independent groups.

Back to Basics Reading Activity with Boomwhackers:

1. Using four different 4 beat melody cards (I have the Hal Leonard ones, they are FABULOUS), practice clapping 4 cards in a row with the class. Have them say the rhythm as they clap.

2. Next have students pat the rhythm while saying the note names.

3. Choose a few students to come to the front and have each hold a different boomwhacker pitch. Have them track the melody cards with you, playing in rhythm when it's their turn. Have the rest of the class pat and say the letter names in rhythm.

4. Explain to students that they will be doing group work. Choose a team leader who will report back to you in writing with issues and successes that their team experienced. The leader will also be in charge of problem solving and keeping the team positive. 

5. Give each group 4 melody cards and enough boomwhackers for each person. The team will choose 2 cards (I found starting with 2 was best for my kids), choose how to organize them, practice the phrase with their boomwhackers, and then perform for the class.

I know it sounds so simple and maybe boring, but the students really loved it! Really! It took one class and it was a great chance for them to perform for their peers as well.

- Steph