Middle School Lesson 15
StartExtra Details:
Concepts
Themes
Rhythm
Grades
Song Type
Holidays
Chords
Learning Module Category
Introduction
In this lesson, you will:
- Echo rhythm patterns with triplets
- Review the bucket drumming arrangement for “March” from the Nutcracker
- Drum to “March” from the Nutcracker
- Teach “Christmas at the Hop”
- Teach “Christmas Line Dance”
- Compare two arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” Worksheet
- Compare two arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” – Arrangement 1
- Compare two arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” – Arrangement 2
- Complete a rhythm erase
- Review “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Option 1: Review the unpitched arrangement for “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Option 1: Play the unpitched arrangement for “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Option 2: Review the recorder arrangement for “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Option 3: Review the Orff arrangement for “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Option 4: Review the ukulele or guitar arrangement for “Il est né, le Divin Enfant”
- Teach “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
- Optional: Complete a Rhythm Worksheet on Twelve Days of Christmas
- Compare performances of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Worksheet
- Performance 1: Listen to the Pentatonix sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
- Performance 2: Listen to The Family sing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
- Performance 3: Watch and listen to the skit of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
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 play rhythms.
- I can compare performances.
Teaching Procedures
Echo rhythm patterns with triplets
Copy LinkReview the bucket drumming arrangement for "March" from the Nutcracker
Copy LinkLearn to desk drum or bucket drum to "March from the Nutcracker".
Find something to use for a bucket and for sticks.
For a bucket, you can use an ice cream bucket or a cardboard box, or you can drum on the top of your desk.
If you drum on a foam sheet or a piece of a yoga mat, the sound will be quieter.
You can put a foam sheet or piece of yoga mat on top of your desk or on the top of your bucket.
If you are desk drumming
top = top
rim = edge of the desk
click = click
Drum to "March" from the Nutcracker
Copy LinkTeach "Christmas at the Hop"
Copy LinkTeach the melody by rote. When the students know the melody well, teach the echo. Then, have a small group do the echoes while the large group sings the melody. Have the students create a dance or movement to go with the music.
Teach "Christmas Line Dance"
Copy LinkVerse 1: hip rocks throughout
Line dance during the instrumental breaks:
Right toe out, right toe in right toe out, right toe in
Left toe out, left toe in left toe out, left toe in
Right toe out, right toe in right toe out, right toe in
Left toe out, left toe in left toe out, left toe in
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice
Tap heel to the front twice, tap toe behind twice
Tap heel to the front once, Tap heel to the side once
Tap toe behind once, bring knee up and clap!
Compare two arrangements of "Carol of the Bells" Worksheet
Copy LinkCompare two arrangements of "Carol of the Bells" - Arrangement 1
Copy LinkCompare two arrangements of "Carol of the Bells" - Arrangement 2
Copy LinkComplete a rhythm erase
Copy LinkClap all 4 rhythms. Click on a square to take one away.
Clap all 4 rhythms, including the missing one. Click on a square to take another away.
Clap all 4 rhythms, including the missing ones. Click on a square to take another away.
Clap all 4 rhythms, including the missing ones. Click on a square to take another away.
Invite 4 students to help you write the complete rhythm on the board. (Each does one square)
Ask the students if they can identify the song.
Review "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkHave students read the rhythms using the rhythm names ta, titi, toooo. Teach the song by rote or have students sing the letter names or solfege.
If the language is difficult for you to teach your students, use the audio to rote teach. Pause after each phrase and have the students echo. Then repeat, pausing every two phrases for the students to echo. Continue in this way until the students can sing the song.
Option 1: Review the unpitched arrangement for "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkOption 1: Play the unpitched arrangement for "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkOption 2: Review the recorder arrangement for "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkOption 3: Review the Orff arrangement for "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkOption 4: Review the ukulele or guitar arrangement for "Il est né, le Divin Enfant"
Copy LinkTeach “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Copy LinkThis traditional Christmas song has been arranged and orchestrated by Craig Cassils and Dominik Hauser to include sound effects. Your class can sing the arrangement as written, or you could have them create their own sound effects to accompany the song. This is a rote song, so teach it using the rote process.
Optional: Complete a Rhythm Worksheet on Twelve Days of Christmas
Copy LinkCompare performances of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Worksheet
Copy LinkPerformance 1: Listen to the Pentatonix sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
Copy LinkPerformance 2: Listen to The Family sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
Copy LinkHave the students try copying the actions in this performance.
It starts slowly, then it gets faster and faster!