Musical Movements Magic

Overview

Grade Level: 1st Grade
Subject: Music
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 20 students
US Standards: National Core Arts Standards, General Music, Grade 1 (MU:Cr1.1.1a, MU:Pr4.2.1a, MU:Re7.2.1a)

Objectives

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

1. Identify the tempo of various music samples by listening.
2. Perform using body movements such as foot tapping or hand clapping in a song.
3. Value their preference in choosing musical genres to listen to.

Materials Needed

• Audio system
• Music samples (a variety of tempos and genres)
• Open space for movement
• Optional: simple percussion instruments like tambourines or maracas

Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

   • Greet students with enthusiasm.
   • Begin with a short interactive game, like “Musical Statues” using a simple, familiar song to get students moving and engaged.

2. Introduction to Tempo (5 minutes)

   • Brief discussion about tempo. Explain that tempo is how fast or slow music is played.
   • Show visual aids, like a speedometer (with words like slow, medium, and fast).

Activity 1: Listening and Identifying Tempo (15 minutes)

1. Listening Exercise (10 minutes)

   • Play various music samples representing different tempos (e.g., “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for slow, “Flight of the Bumblebee” for fast).
   • After each sample, ask students to describe the speed. Use prompts like “Was the music fast or slow?”

2. Tempo Chart (5 minutes)

   • Create a visual chart on the board with columns for Slow, Medium, and Fast.
   • As a class, categorize each music sample into the correct column.

Activity 2: Performing with Body Movements (15 minutes)

1. Demonstration and Practice (5 minutes)

   • Model how to use body movements to keep in time with the tempo (e.g., slow foot taps, quick claps).
   • Encourage students to mirror your movements.

2. Group Performance (10 minutes)

   • Play a piece of music and ask the students to perform body movements to match the tempo.
   • Mix it up by having students choose how to move (e.g., stomping, clapping) for different sections of the music.

Activity 3: Expressing Personal Preferences (10 minutes)

1. Discussion on Musical Genres (5 minutes)

   • Introduce a variety of musical genres (classical, pop, jazz).
   • Play short excerpts from each genre.

2. Expression of Preference (5 minutes)

   • Ask students to show a thumbs up or down for each genre they hear.
   • Discuss briefly why they liked or didn’t like it, encouraging respect for everyone’s choices.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Reflection (5 minutes)

   • Gather students in a circle.
   • Invite a few to share what they learned about tempo and what their favorite genre or song was.

2. Cool Down Activity (5 minutes)

   • Play a calming, slow tempo song and guide the students through deep breathing and gentle stretching.

Assessment

• Observation: During activities, observe students’ ability to identify tempos and their movement coordination.
• Participation: Check for engagement and willingness to express musical preferences.

Extensions and Variations

• Extension 1: Introduce simple percussion instruments for students to explore adding rhythm to songs they like.
• Extension 2: Plan a follow-up lesson where students create simple movements for a slow and fast song, to perform in small groups.

This lesson gives students the ability to listen critically, move rhythmically, and express personal tastes in music, all framed within US education standards. Through active engagement and personal expression, this lesson plan aims to not only teach musical concepts but also instill a lifelong appreciation for music.