Lesson Plan: Writing a Major Scale in Music

General Information

• Subject: Music
• Year Level: Year 7 (New Zealand Curriculum Level 4)
• Duration: 55 minutes
• Number of Students: 30

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Define what a major scale is in the context of Western music.
2. Identify the pattern of whole steps and half steps in a major scale.
3. Write a C Major scale using musical notation.
4. Construct major scales starting on different notes.

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum for music, specifically at Level 4, where students explore sound and symbol systems in music. For further detail on the curriculum standards, visit The New Zealand Curriculum Online – Music.

Resources

• Whiteboard and markers
• Musical staves paper for each student
• Pianos or keyboards (one per pair of students)
• Computers or tablets with music notation software (optional)
• Handout with examples of major scales

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Welcome and Learning Objectives Overview: Briefly outline the goals for today’s lesson.
• Discussion: Ask the students what they know about scales and introduce the concept of a major scale.

2. Explanation of Major Scales (10 minutes)

• Definition: Explain that a major scale is a sequence of eight notes arranged in a specific pattern of whole steps (W) and half steps (H).
• Visual Aid: On the whiteboard, illustrate the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern using a simple diagram.
• Audio Example: Play a C Major scale and point out the steps on a keyboard or piano.

3. Group Activity: Writing C Major Scale (10 minutes)

• Instructions: Hand out musical staves paper and ask students to write down the C Major scale.
• Guidance: Circulate the room, providing help and ensuring each student understands the pattern.
• Sharing: Ask a few students to share their written scales on the board and discuss any discrepancies.

4. Constructing Different Major Scales (15 minutes)

• Pairs Activity: Divide students into pairs and assign each pair a different starting note.
• Task: Students use the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern to construct a new major scale.
• Resources: Provide keyboards or pianos for practical verification of their scales.

5. Recap and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Review: Recap the major points of the lesson, emphasizing the pattern of whole and half steps.
• Q&A: Allow time for any final questions from students to clarify their understanding.

6. Homework/Extension Activities (5 minutes)

• Homework Assignment: Students are to write out major scales starting from D, E, and G using their knowledge from the lesson.
• Extension Option: Interested students can explore harmonic and melodic minor scales using online resources or textbooks.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observe student participation during group activities and their ability to accurately construct scales.
• Summative Assessment: Collect the written scales at the end of the lesson as a take-home task to assess understanding and accuracy.

Reflection

After the lesson, reflect on the effectiveness of the activities in meeting the learning objectives and consider any necessary adjustments for future lessons focusing on scale construction or other aspects of music theory.

By following this structured approach, students will gain a foundational understanding of major scales, which are critical to their overall music education and literacy.