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Grade 4 Lesson 29

Concepts:

Create, Dynamics, Instruments of the Orchestra, Percussion Family, Listening and Responding, Movement, Rhythm,

In this lesson, you will:

learn a song about composting – just in time for Earth Day!
learn about ostinato
learn dynamics words
learn about George Frideric Handel and listen to some of his music

Supporting Resources

Objectives

I can sing a song about Earth Day.
I can respond to a piece of music by Handel.
I can tell about the dynamics in a piece of music.

Teaching Procedure

Song Used:

1 Read the Words to the Compost Song

Read the words to the compost song.

What is the song describing?

Song Used:

2 Watch and listen to the song, "Compost"

Watch and listen to the song, "Compost"

What kinds of things did you see that you could compost?

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Song Used:

3 Watch the notation video for the song, "Compost"

Watch the notation video for the song, "Compost"

The song “Compost” is built over an ostinato.
An ostinato is a repeated pattern.

The ostinato is given at the beginning and the end of the song:

Cooking, heating, rotting, soil it becomes.

Play the song again, and sing the ostinato at the beginning and the end of the song.

Can you sing the whole song?

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Song Used:

4 What can go in a compost?

If you can print the worksheet, you can print it.

If you can't print, number a piece of paper from 1-10.

List 10 things that you can put in a compost. Illustrate your list.

5 Watch the Dynamics Video

Dynamics Tell us if Music is Loud or Soft.

Watch the video to learn about dynamics.

6 Write down the Dynamics Terms, Symbols and Meanings

Download and complete the Dynamics Worksheet.
-or-
write the Italian dynamics words out on a piece of paper from softest to loudest and draw the symbol beside it.

7 Listen to Concerto in Bb by Handel

Listen to Concerto in Bb by Handel.

Take a piece of paper, and answer some of the questions about the music.

1. Name some instruments you hear.
2. Is the music quiet or loud, or in between? Write a dynamics word that describes if the music is loud or soft.
3. How does the music make you feel?

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8 Learn about the Composer

Watch this video to learn about the composer.

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9 CHALLENGE: Can you play the rhythms along with the music? Can you create movement?

Can you play the rhythms along with the music?

Try clapping or playing the rhythms with the music.

This is tricky! If it's too hard, keep the beat instead by patting, clapping, or tapping.

Can you create movement to the music?

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10 Assessment Suggestions

Your music teacher may ask you to send assessments.

Here are some suggestions:
- Send your list of dynamics words and symbols.
- Send your Compost assignment.
- Send your answers to the listening questions.