Grade 4 Lesson 15
StartExtra Details:
Concepts
Grades
Song Type
Holidays
Learning Module Category
Introduction
In this lesson, you will:
- Warmup by clapping or playing the rhythms with “Overture” from the Nutcracker
- Watch The Nutcracker Story
- Learn about the composer of the Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky
- Do the plate routine to “Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker
- Compare two performances of the “Sugar Plum Fairy” – Arrangement 1
- Compare two performances of the “Sugar Plum Fairy” – Arrangement 2
- Review the bucket drumming arrangement for “Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday”
- Review “Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday”
- Review the choreography for “Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday”
- Do the choreography of “Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday”
- Review part 1 of the “Hallelujah Chorus”
- Teach “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
- Review the hand clap game to “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”
- Do the hand clap game to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
- Optional: Request and Review
Extensions:
- Nutcracker Unit
- Handel’s Last Chance (Movie)
- Instrument Holiday Ideas (Boomwhacker, Body Percussion, Unpitched, Holiday Orff, Winter Orff, Recorder, Bucket Drumming)
- Christmas Units (Santa, Sacred, Secular)
Musicplay is a menu. The teacher is not expected to teach every song or activity. Choose the songs and activities from the list that will best fit your schedule and the needs of your students.
Objectives
- I can sing and move to music.
- I can read rhythm and melody patterns.
- I can create movement to music.
Teaching Procedures
Warmup by clapping or playing the rhythms with "Overture" from the Nutcracker
Copy LinkWarmup by clapping or playing the rhythms with "Overture from the Nutcracker".
Watch The Nutcracker Story
Copy LinkLearn about the composer of the Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky
Copy LinkDo the plate routine to "Sugar Plum Fairy" from the Nutcracker
Copy LinkCompare two performances of the "Sugar Plum Fairy" - Arrangement 1
Copy LinkThe comparison worksheet is available in supplemental resources. The answers are in the song activities PDF that is also linked.
Compare two performances of the "Sugar Plum Fairy" - Arrangement 2
Copy LinkThe comparison worksheet is available in supplemental resources. The answers are in the song activities PDF that is also linked.
Review the bucket drumming arrangement for "Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday"
Copy LinkReview "Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday"
Copy LinkReview the choreography for "Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday"
Copy LinkDo the choreography of "Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday"
Copy LinkTry the full performance with choreography of "Deck the Halls, A Bossa Nova Holiday".
Review part 1 of the "Hallelujah Chorus"
Copy LinkSing along with "Messiah" by Handel.
Teach "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
Copy LinkReview the hand clap game to "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
Copy LinkReview the hand clap pattern to go with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
Review the 3 patterns, then do the Hand Clap Game.
Here's Pattern 1-2-3.
Do the hand clap game to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
Copy LinkDo the clap game with the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
Optional: Request and Review
Copy LinkAsk the children to tell you their favorite songs, games or activities that they've done during the school year. List the songs/games/activities on the board, then have the student vote for their favorites. Conduct the votes with their eyes closed. As you work through the list of games/songs/activities, review the concepts that were taught in the activity. I'm often surprised at the activities that are the children's favorites!