Grade 5 Lesson 17A – song-based lesson
StartExpressionThemes(s):
Our Musical World, North America
Extra Details:
Concepts
Rhythm
Time Signature
Grades
Curriculum Links
Holidays
Learning Module Category
Introduction
In this lesson, you will:
- Play poison rhythm (3/4)
- Review “Old Maid”
- Play the “Old Maid” game
- Sort the rhythm for “Old Maid”
- Listen to the Reading of the Story “Follow the Drinking Gourd” by Cari Meister
- Learn About the Song
- Teach “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd”
- Discuss “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd”
- Optional: Create a class book of “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd” by illustrating part of the lyrics
- Teach “When the Saints”
- Watch Louis Armstrong sing “When the Saints”
- Option 1: Complete the solfa challenge for “When the Saints”
- Option 2: Complete the note name challenge for “When the Saints”
- Optional: Teach the Orff arrangement for “When the Saints”
Extensions:
- George Washington Bridge
- Recorder Kit 2
- History of Jazz Unit
- Lunar New Year Unit
- Martin Luther King Jr. Unit
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 a folk song.
- I can demonstrate understanding of a musical text.
Teaching Procedures
Play poison rhythm (3/4)
Copy LinkReview "Old Maid"
Copy LinkThis song provides the opportunity to teach or reinforce the 3/4 time signature. The game is unique and a lot of fun for students to play. Introduce the song by having a discussion on what an “old maid” was. This is a derogatory term used years ago to describe an unmarried woman. It really wasn’t nice to call someone an “old maid”. The term has fallen out of use in recent times as many women and men make the choice to remain single. The card game “Old Maid” is similar to the singing game in some ways.
Play the "Old Maid" game
Copy LinkThe students form a single circle with pairs of students standing together, preferably with elbows linked. There needs to be space in between each pair. One student without a partner, or the teacher, is needed to begin the game. The student without a partner steals someone else’s partner. The person whose partner was stolen then goes to another pair and steals a partner. This continues until the song concludes with “old maid”. The student without a partner at that time has “lost” the game and is the “old maid”. To speed the game up, call out “old maid” at the number thirty instead of the number ninety.
Listen to the Reading of the Story "Follow the Drinking Gourd" by Cari Meister
Copy LinkListen to the story.
Learn About the Song
Copy LinkTeach "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd"
Copy LinkThe song “Follow the Drinking Gourd” was sung by enslaved peoples who worked on the Underground Railroad. Have your students listen to the song and try to identify what the possible hidden messages are in the song.
Discuss "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd"
Copy LinkOptional: Create a class book of "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd" by illustrating part of the lyrics
Copy LinkHave each student illustrate one page of the lyrics. Copy the lyrics from the supporting resources and give each student one page. If you have more than 12 students, make several copies of the book.
Teach "When the Saints"
Copy LinkThis song is an American spiritual. Traditionally in New Orleans, the song is used as a funeral march. When accompanying the coffin to the cemetery, the band would play it slowly in a blues style. On the way back from the cemetery, the band would change to the quick. When Louis Armstrong recorded the song in 1938, it was the first spiritual ever recorded in a jazz style and made the song a trademark of early, traditional jazz. Teach the song by rote and enjoy singing it, or sing and accompany the song with body percussion.
Watch Louis Armstrong sing "When the Saints"
Copy LinkOption 1: Complete the solfa challenge for "When the Saints"
Copy LinkOption 2: Complete the note name challenge for "When the Saints"
Copy LinkOptional: Teach the Orff arrangement for "When the Saints"
Copy LinkCreative Ideas: Invite students to improvise melodies in G pentatonic between the verses.