Submitted by Pamela Rezach
Idea posted June 13, 2006
I had my seventh grade general music students listen to songs from the 1950s. Before they listened, I read from a workbook page that gave a simple explanation concerning the songs from the '50s and the performers.
After listening to the CD selection, I asked the students to write a summary about the music they had heard. I encouraged them to include things such as: Did you hear any ostinatos? Were dynamics an important factor in the music? Were tempos changed? What was more important: the lyrics or the band? Did you like this selection? Why or why not?
I asked them to put their names on the summaries, and I collected them. Then I decided to read them out loud, not realizing that this was going to be a big hit with my students. The students had to guess who wrote the summaries. What a success! I never thought they would enjoy this as much as they did. One sixth grade student said, "I like this game." (I didn't think about it being a game.) One seventh grade student said, "Can we do this again next class?" Now that statement, my friends, is a miracle!
It was 100% successful in both sixth and seventh grade general music. (I plan to use this idea with composers and their music for my last few classes.)