Movement and Melody

Lesson Overview

• Grade Level: 3rd Grade
• Subject: Music
• Duration: 47 minutes
• Class Size: 20 students
• Lesson Title: Movement and Melody

National Core Arts Standards

• MU:Pr4.2.3a: Demonstrate understanding of the structure in music selected for performance.
• MU:Pr5.1.3a: Apply teacher-provided and collaboratively developed criteria to evaluate musical works or performances.
• MU:Cr1.1.3a: Improvise rhythmic and melodic patterns.
• MU:Re7.2.3a: Demonstrate and explain how responses to music are informed by the structure, the use of elements of music, and the context.
• MU:Pr6.1.3a: Perform music with expression and technical accuracy.

Objectives

1. Identify Melodic Patterns: Students will identify the main melodic rhythmic patterns in the four military branch songs and “Rocky Mountain.”
2. Perform Dance: Students will perform the dance for “Rocky Mountain” and play boomwhackers in time with the song.
3. Express Understanding: Students will express their understanding of melody, rhythm, and patriotic themes through song and movement.

Essential Questions

1. What are the main melodic and rhythmic patterns in the military songs and "Rocky Mountain"?
2. How does the structure of music contribute to its overall impact and performance?
3. How can movement enhance our understanding and expression of music?

Vocabulary

• Primary Vocabulary: Melody, Rhythm, Solfège (mi, so, la), Patriotic, Boomwhackers
• Secondary Vocabulary: Structure, Performance, Expression, Dance, Assessment

Materials

1. YouTube video: "The Cowboy Dance" by Danny Go (for warm-up)
2. Military song lyrics and audio
3. MusicPlayOnline access
   • September 4th lesson: "Match the Melody" game (Level 2a)
   • Modules 11, 12, 13, and 14 for "Rocky Mountain"
4. Boomwhackers

Assessment Evidence

1. Formative Assessment: Teacher observation during the melody matching game and dance performance.
2. Summative Assessment: Performance of the melody and rhythm using Boomwhackers for "Rocky Mountain."

Instructional Strategies

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes): Play “The Cowboy Dance” by Danny Go on YouTube. Encourage students to follow the movements in the video.

2. Review Military Songs (10 minutes): Play the four military songs (army, marines, navy, and air force). Briefly review each song, focusing on the melodic and rhythmic patterns.

3. Melody Assessment (10 minutes): Use MusicPlayOnline's "Match the Melody" game from their September 4th lesson. Set it to Level 2a, using solfège syllables mi, so, and la. Students match the melodies as a class activity.

4. "Rocky Mountain" Modules (17 minutes):

   • Module 11 (3 minutes): Teach "Rocky Mountain" song.
   • Module 12 (4 minutes): Teach the dance for "Rocky Mountain."
   • Module 13 (5 minutes): Combine the song and dance together.
   • Module 14 (5 minutes): Play "Rocky Mountain" on Boomwhackers.

5. Quick Round Game (5 minutes): If time allows, play "Keep the Beat in your Feet" to solidify rhythmic and movement skills.

Differentiation Strategies

• For Advanced Learners: Let students create their own rhythmic patterns for "Rocky Mountain" and share with the class.
• For Struggling Learners: Pair them with a buddy to provide additional support during melody matching and dance activities.
• For Kinesthetic Learners: Emphasize the dance and movement components.
• For Auditory Learners: Replay sections of the songs and solely focus on listening skills to identify patterns.
• For Visual Learners: Use visual aids such as sheet music or solfège charts to support understanding of melodies.

This highly detailed lesson plan ensures third-grade students engage with music through movement and melody, aligned with the National Core Arts Standards. It includes a variety of teaching methods and differentiation strategies to cater to diverse learners, ensuring all students can participate and achieve the learning objectives.