Kelsi Trest

Student Teaching Spring 2015

Pennfield Middle School & High School

Lesson #3
Unit Title: A Reintroduction of Counting in Beginning Band
Lesson Title: Composing Rhythms Individually
Grade Level: 5th or 6th grade beginning band
Subjects Integrated: Music and dance
Objectives: Students should be able to confidently perform different rhythmic passages in a
group setting.
Materials: Pre-made flashcards
Learning Activities
a) Instructional Materials: The students will need pre-made flash cards that will be
handed out by the teacher. Each card will have a rhythmic clip art picture on it that was
used in the previous lessons.
b) Procedures: Each student will be given four flash cards at random. They will be asked
to put the cards in an order that composes a rhythm. They will then be asked to study
and learn their individual rhythm for 5 minutes. They should be able to say and clap the
line without error. Once this is done the students will take turns, one at a time, taping
their rhythmic line to the board. The class will them be asked to sight read it together.
After the class attempts it, the individual student will demonstrate the correct sequence
of clapping. The class will be asked if they were able to perform it correctly and they
will give comments about their progress.
c) Instructional Groups: The class needs to be accountable for themselves because their
abilities and focus affect the class as a whole. The students will be in charge of running
the presentation and the teacher should only manage the classroom if needed.
d) Discussion: The class should be critiquing their performance each time they attempt a
new rhythm. This will help to train their ears and it will help them problem solve as a
group.
e) Assessment: A formative assessment should be done by the teacher as the activity is
taking place. The presenters are being assessed on their ability to read these lines as they
perform the correct rendition for the class.
Closure
a) The students will be told to pack up.
b) The lesson will be evaluated by looking at different factors such as if the stu-dents'
attention was held well, if they seemed to enjoy the activity, and if they were truly
learning from their critiques.
Standards
ART.M.II.6.4: Compose short pieces to communicate ideas and/or stories.