Joyful Harmonies

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 3 students in Australia and aligns with the Australian Curriculum for Music. It covers performing and creating music by engaging students in singing, playing, and moving to music. The focus is on understanding basic musical concepts and culminates in students creating their own Christmas presentation over seven lessons.

Key Curriculum Area

Subject: The Arts - Music
Level: Years 3-4
Australian Curriculum Reference:

• Use voice, instruments, and movement to create and perform music [ACAMUM085].
• Explore sounds as they manipulate contrasting musical elements [ACAMUM084].

Lesson 1: Singing and Moving to Music

Duration

60 minutes

Learning Objectives

• Students will sing and move to a variety of music styles.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of beat and rhythm.
• Students will begin to express musical ideas through movement.

Materials

• A selection of Christmas songs (e.g., "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer")
• Audio playback device
• Percussion instruments (e.g., tambourines, shakers)
• Space for movement

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Welcome and Warm-Up: Begin with a vocal warm-up that includes gentle humming and basic scales. Encourage students to explore their vocal range playfully.
• Discussion: Briefly discuss what students know about Christmas songs and how music can be used to tell a story.

2. Singing Activity (15 minutes)

• Song Introduction: Play a well-known Christmas song, such as "Jingle Bells," and sing along with the students.
• Call and Response: Teach the chorus as a call-and-response activity, allowing students to echo lines back.
• Discussion: Ask students to identify the beat and rhythm in the song.

3. Playing Instruments (15 minutes)

• Introduction to Percussion Instruments: Introduce simple percussion instruments. Demonstrate how to play in time with the beat of "Jingle Bells."
• Collaborative Play: Divide the class into small groups and let them accompany the song using percussion to keep the beat.
• Group Reflection: Discuss how the beat helps bind the music together.

4. Movement Activity (15 minutes)

• Expressive Movement: Ask students to move around the room to a new Christmas tune. Encourage them to express the mood of the song through dance or gesture.
• Guided Movement: Use specific instructions to guide movements, such as moving like a reindeer or snowflake.
• Discussion: After the activity, ask students how they felt moving to the music and how it changed their understanding of the song.

5. Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Reflective Discussion: Gather students and discuss what they learned about rhythm, beat, and expression.
• Preview Next Lesson: Explain that the next lesson will involve using instruments more extensively and beginning to plan their Christmas presentation in groups.

Assessment

• Observation: Note student participation in singing, playing, and movement activities.
• Feedback: Provide positive and constructive feedback during activities to guide learning.

Extension Activities

• Encourage students to listen to various Christmas songs at home and bring a favourite to share with the class.
• Start thinking about the characters or themes they might like to include in the group presentation.

This lesson plan sets the stage for a deeper exploration of music through subsequent lessons, gradually building towards the final group Christmas presentation. By incorporating multiple forms of musical engagement, this lesson aims to create a vibrant, interactive learning environment that fosters creativity and collaboration among students.