Teach the song, "Shine a Light for Peace"

This is the notation video. Listen to a verse and then ask the students questions about the song.
For example:
- Why do you think the writer used the words "shine a light" when talking about peace?
- Who do you think the song is written for? - Where might it be performed?
- What does the song make you think of?

Teach the parts. You could have four groups of students which each group playing a different part.

Review how the verse is one 4-bar pattern (slide 1) and the chorus is a different 4-bar pattern (slide 2).

The students can read the notes for this song using either solfa or letter names. Teach by rote if your students cannot read the rhythms or notes for this song.

Cut the Cake is a singing game that students really enjoy. You could use the song to celebrate birthdays in your classroom on either the first lesson of the month or the last lesson of the month. Invite the birthday child to be the 'cake cutter' in the game.

The students form a circle. Measures one/two - clap hands. Measures three/four - shake hands. In measures five to eight, the students in the circle join hands. During the singing, one student walks around the outside of the circle. At the end of the song, the student ‘slices’ the cake by bringing their hand down, separating two students whose hands were joined. They then stand in place with arms outstretched and the students that were separated race in opposite directions around the circle. The first student to tag an outstretched hand wins.

Name the Solfa Notes for the song "Cut the Cake."

If you prefer that your students learn pitch letter names, omit this activity and do the note naming instead in the next activity.

Name the pitch letter names for the song "Cut the Cake."

Learn about the woodwind family.

Optional: Complete the worksheet on the Woodwind Family in "Supporting Resources."

Watch a performance by a woodwind quintet.

Watch the part that starts at 19:22.
It ends at 22:21.

Watch the listening log video of Menuetto-Trio" and answer as many of the questions as you can.

You can print the listening log from Supporting Resources.
-or-
Answer the questions on a piece of paper.
Discuss the answers in class.

1. What instrument families do you hear? Name some of the instruments.|
2. What is the tempo of the music?
3. Is the music quiet or loud?
4. Is the music in a major or minor key?
5. How are the beats grouped? (two, three, four, other)
6. Is the music smooth or separated?
7. Describe the mood of the piece. How did the composer create the mood?
8. How does this music make you feel?

Complete a woodwind worksheet. 3 worksheets are given - if time permits, have students complete one of them.