Do a rhythm play-along to practice dotted 8th-16th.

Learn about the song "Arupusu".

Teach the song "Arupusu".

If students are able to, have them read the rhythms.
If they can, have them read the notes using solfege or note names.

OR - teach the song by rote. Sing or play a phrase and have students echo. Combine phrases. Sing or play the whole song and have students echo.

Play the clap game with "Arupusu"

The clapping pattern is outlined below.
A clap own hands
ru clap right hands with a partner
pu clap own hands
su clap left hands with a partner
ichi clap own hands
man clap right hands with a partner
ja clap own hands ku clap left hands with a partner
ko ya clap own hands twice
ri no clasp hands together, turn knuckles so they are facing you and stretch arms out
u hold right elbow with left hand, and touch partners elbow
e de hold left elbow with right hand, and touch partners elbow

Teacher note: "Wade in the Water" is a spiritual and includes religious themes. We ask that you consider the needs of your classroom and your community when making decisions about using this song.

Teach the song by rote. Discuss repeat signs. Have the students read the rhythms for this song.

Creative Ideas: Have the students playing hand drums create a four measure introduction for the song.

Read about the song "John B Sails" on Wikipedia.

Teacher note: Please note that this song includes references to alcohol use and misuse. We ask that you consider the needs of your classroom and your community when making decisions about using this song.

Teach the song "John B Sails" (Sloop John B)

Teach by rote. Sing or play a phrase and have students echo. Combine phrases. Sing or play the whole song and have students echo.

Optional - Accompany the song with guitars, ukuleles, Orff or Boomwhackers. A printable pdf is found in supporting resources.

It is suggested that you accompany in the key of G instead of the key of F that the song is recorded in. The key of G has easier chords to play on guitar and ukulele. If you are accompanying with barred instruments or Boomwhackers use the following notes for the chords. Decide on a rhythm to play or play the beat of the music

G = G B D
D7 = D F# A C. (leave out the F# is you don't have chromatics.)
C = C E G

Note to Teachers: The original sea chantey (and the Beach Boys version) contain references to drinking. You could use this as a discussion about sailors and why the royal navy gave sailors rum rations until 1970. You may also want to discuss what kind of problems alcohol can cause. You know your students best, and may choose not to teach this song.

Invite the students to discuss similarities and differences in this music video compared to current music videos. Discuss similarities and differences in this recording compared to the Musicplay recording.

Read about Movement I “Allegro ma non tanto”, from String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven.

There is a printable student worksheet to accompany this listening selection.

View a performance of Beethoven's String Quartet No 4, Mve 1.

Discuss the questions in the worksheet, or have students complete it.