Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan
Idea posted November 15, 2001
Listening Lessons With Lower Elementary
Entrance music: I have something by the person playing as the kids walk in. Movement activity: copy-cat movements to the beat (hit the bottoms of our shoes, tap our noses, pat our thighs, etc., then stand and continue with our feet, waists, etc.). I say, "Let's put the music on our legs... let's put the music on our shoes...," or I might act out the piece if it's from an opera or ballet.
Biography: Then I'll show a picture of the person, tell a couple things about his/her life, but not much. Short and sweet! Continue with regular lesson.
Exit music: As they're lining up/leaving, I'll play another or the same selection. Next lesson I'll play the same piece(s).
Rest of month: Add new piece(s) or stick with the familiar ones. Perhaps devote one lesson per month on a more extensive exploration of one of his/her pieces.
Another good lower-elementary activity is to color pictures of the person while his/her music is playing. I have a coloring book of American composers (my local bookstore for around $5) that I have used quite a bit. It includes great pictures of Gershwin, Sousa, Ellington, Joplin, and Monk, as well as mediocre pictures of several others (Ives, Amy Beach, Bernstein, William Grant Still).
Listening Lessons With Middle Elementary
Present more information about his/her life. Perhaps read them a biography of the person. Watch short video clips relating to person.
Listening Lessons With Upper Elementary
Same but with a more extensive look at his/her music. Read biography to class and watch video clips. Perhaps compose percussion pieces that mimic his/her style or technique and learn to play simple instrumental parts to go along. Learn to sing his/her songs.
Good Gershwin lower-elementary activity: Talk about the City vs. Country.
What things do you hear/see/do in a big city? Show book of photos of Paris while "American in Paris" is playing. Perhaps convince the classroom teacher to read one of the Anatole The Mouse books ahead of time. Now have the kids be the Americans in Paris. Pass out large drawing paper and crayons. Have them draw themselves in Paris while listening to music again. Display in the hallway.
Middle-elementary Activity: Venezia Biography.
Watch clip from the movie "American in Paris" (1956). Perfect scene (early in movie): Gene Kelly returns home from painting on the bank and is barraged by the local French kids begging for bubble gum. Kelly proceeds to tap and sing through a fabulous rendition of "I Got Rhythm." If you have time: Watch the same song from the finale of the movie "Girl Crazy" (Garland and Rooney) and do a comparison.
Upper-elementary activity: Other Good Gershwin Clips.
"Shall We Dance" (Astaire/Rogers): Let's Call The Whole Thing Off (dancing on roller skates scene) and "Slap That Bass." One year I showed almost all of "Porgy And Bess" (the new video set) and they loved it.
Other ideas:
I do one extensive composer study per grade. For example, with 2nd grade: John Philip Sousa - marching around with flags in "marching band" patterns. Color him while listening; play percussion instruments while students conduct. When conductor waves the beat, all play. When he/she cuts you off, all stop. Those who don't stop lay their instruments down until there's a new conductor.
At the end of the unit we play Composer Basketball:
Set up a large garbage can to be the hoop. Then either tape numbered papers on the floor to mark freethrow (1 point), 2-point shots, and some far away 3-pointers, or use a hula hoop to show the shooters where to stand. Move it farther away each round of the game. Divide in teams and pick captains. Ask a question about the person studied. The team huddles and tells the captain the answer (all teammates must tell the captain something). The captain tells the teacher. If correct, 5 points are awarded, plus the whole team gets to shoot for more points. We played soccer one year instead, and I was the goalie (I borrowed the net from the gym teacher).