Grade 1 Back To School – Lesson 4
StartMelodic Direction (high-middle-low), Timbre of Unpitched InstrumentsThemes(s):
Building Character (SEL)
Extra Details:
Themes
Grades
Song Type
Curriculum Links
Holidays
Learning Module Category
Introduction
In this lesson, you will:
- Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know it!” with JJ
- Review different instruments using the “Mystery Box”
- Option 1: Play Trivia Wheel – Classroom Instruments
- Option 2: Play Classroom Instrument Bingo
- Compose with Word Rhythms
- Warm up your voices with echo patterns
- Teach “Draw a Bucket of Water”
- Learn the game for “Draw a Bucket of Water”
- Play the game and sing “Draw a Bucket of Water”
- Review “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
- Review the actions for “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
- Do the actions and sing “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
- Teach “Let Your Light Shine”
- Optional: Read “Whoever You Are” by Mem Fox
- Sing “The Music Time is Over”
Extensions
About the ‘Back to School’ Lessons
Different school districts have different start dates, ranging from the end of July to after Labor Day. The Musicplay song sequence is designed to begin in the first week of September. For teachers whose schools start earlier than September, there are five ‘Back to School’ lessons provided. If your school year begins in August, start with ‘Back to School’ lesson 1. Once September begins, regardless of your start date, use the ‘September Week 1’ lesson.
Objectives
- I can echo melody patterns.
- I can move to the beat.
- I can sing and move to music.
Teaching Procedures
Sing “If You’re Happy and You Know it!” with JJ
Copy LinkSing and do the actions to the song.
Review different instruments using the “Mystery Box”
Copy LinkPut 5-6 instruments in a box so the children can’t see what you're playing. Play it, and they identify the instrument. It’s a great way to introduce them to the timbre of unpitched instruments, and to help build their vocabulary as they learn the names of all the instruments!
Ask the students if the sound of the instrument is high or low.
Option 1: Play Trivia Wheel - Classroom Instruments
Copy LinkOption 2: Play Classroom Instrument Bingo
Copy LinkCompose with Word Rhythms
Copy LinkCreate word rhythm patterns using the names of classroom instruments.
Decide how to play those rhythms. You could use body percussion, found sounds or instruments.
Warm up your voices with echo patterns
Copy LinkWarm up your voices by echoing mi so la patterns
Teach “Draw a Bucket of Water”
Copy LinkLearn the game for “Draw a Bucket of Water”
Copy LinkPlayers 1 and 2 join hands. Players 3 and 4 join hands above Player 1 and 2’s hands. All hands remain joined throughout the song. All rock back and forth as they sing. On the words “number one pops under” Player 1 ducks underneath the hands of Players 3 and 4. On the next verse Player 2 also pops under. Players 3 and 4 follow in verses three and four. In verse five everybody is huddled together and hops around in a circle. At the end of verse five everyone lets hands go and they burst free.
If the actual singing game is too difficult for your students, have each child choose a partner and see-saw back and forth as they sing.
Another simpler game alternative would be to play the game with a stretchy band. Designate students as numbers 1-2- 3-4-5. At the end of the song only those students who are number five will still be holding the band. All the others will be in the center.
Play the game and sing “Draw a Bucket of Water”
Copy LinkReview “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
Copy LinkListen to the singer on the recording and just add actions the first time you sing this song. Try to remember all the actions as you go. As the song goes along the students will be able to join in the singing of all the words.
Review the actions for “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
Copy LinkDo the actions and sing “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
Copy LinkTeach “Let Your Light Shine”
Copy LinkTeach the song by rote. Sing or play a phrase and have the students echo.