Why am I having my students listen to this piece of music?
The concept areas of Rhythm (beat and meter), melody, harmony, form, timbre are used in the lessons of this particular song.
What curricular connection can I make? This song can be used to introduce a social studies unit pertaining to a western themed lesson. You could explain how this song and music in general depict the America West. In addition, it is ideal for a music class because the lesson could include singing, moving, listening, and playing instruments.
Objective: The student should become familiar with different areas of rhythm within music. In addition, the student should evaluate and relate music to other subject areas and everyday life.
Procedure: 1. Introduce the song first and let the students listen then ask questions a. What does it remind them of? How does it make them feel? Etc. b. Have the students keep a beat with their finger on their desk 2. Lets Circle Dance! Form a circle. After demonstrating the following dance movements with a partner in front of the class, have students practice the movements. Although standard square dance formation is with 8 people per square (4 couples or pairs, in the formation of each point of a plus sign, +), the following movements could be done in one large circle if preferred. If desired, show a clip of square dancing from YouTube beforehand, pointing out the various movements. (a)join hands and circle right students all join hands and, facing right, walk or skip for 8 beats. (b) now circle left repeat the above process, walking or skipping while facing left for 8 beats. (c) girls to the center for 8 after dropping hands, girls take 8 small steps in toward the center of the circle, walking or skipping to the beat. (Optional: boys clap quietly to the beat) (d) now go back home girls carefully take 8 small steps backward to the beat (can look over their shoulder). (Optional: boys clap quietly to the beat) a. (e) boys to the center for 8 after dropping hands, boys take 8 small steps in toward the center of the circle, walking or skipping to the beat. (Optional: girls clap quietly to the beat) (f) now go back home boys carefully take 8 small steps backward to the beat TITLE OF LESSON: Listening Activity Hoedown (from Rodeo) Aaron Copland LEVEL: 1st NUMBER OF LESSONS: 2-3 Standars: #6: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music #9: understanding music in relation to history and culture
(can look over their shoulder). (Optional: girls clap quietly to the beat) (g) Repeat (a) and (b). (h) Repeat (c) and (d) with everyone going to the center and back using very small steps. 3. After working on the circle dance, discuss what beats we were following the whole time and other parts that were important to remember.
Assessment: Did the students enjoy the song choice and grasp the activity? Anything you could do different/better?