I’ve been exploring different ways to incorporate music into an ELA class. Here is another option for a 1st or 2nd grade class.

Contact me at Elisabeth *at* erzsie.com to learn more or would like to work with me on developing similar lesson plans!

Lesson Focus

Rhythm and repetition in developing literacy skills, particularly decoding skills

Standards

ELA: * Reading: Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). * Speaking and Listening: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. * Language: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. MUSIC: * Creating: Conceive and develop new artistic ideas and work. * Performing: Realize artistic ideas and work through interpretation and presentation. * Responding: Understand and evaluate how the arts convey meaning. * Connecting: Relate artistic ideas and works with personal meaning and external context.

Content and Language Objectives

* Students will learn to identify and create rhythmic patterns using body percussion and simple instruments. * Students will explore the concept of rhythm in everyday sounds and music. * Students will express stories or emotions through rhythmic patterns.

Resources and Materials

* A variety of musical instruments (e.g., drums, shakers, tambourines) or objects that can be used to make rhythmic sounds (e.g., pots, pans, plastic containers) * Audio recordings of music with distinct rhythmic patterns * Audio recordings of everyday sounds (e.g., rain falling, train on tracks, footsteps) * Storybooks with repetitive patterns or themes that can be expressed rhythmically. Examples include Don’t Let the Penguin Drive the Bus or The Giving Tree

Vocabulary

rhythm, beat, tempo, pitch, pattern, volume, instrument, melody, harmony, dynamics

Assessment Plan

* Observe students’ participation in creating and performing rhythmic patterns. * Assess students’ ability to identify rhythms in music and everyday sounds. * Evaluate students’ creative use of rhythm to express the story or themes discussed.

Lesson Introduction

* Begin by explaining the concept of rhythm as the pattern of sounds and silences in music. (3 minutes) * Play a few examples of music and everyday sounds. Ask students to tap along to find the rhythm. (2 minutes)

Lesson Core

Exploring Rhythmic Patterns (10 minutes): * Divide students into small groups and distribute the instruments or sound-making objects. * Play the audio recordings again and challenge each group to replicate the rhythms they hear using their instruments or objects. Rhythm in Everyday Life (10 minutes): * Discuss how rhythm can be found in everyday life, not just in music. Play the recordings of everyday sounds and have students guess the sources of these rhythms. * Encourage students to share examples of rhythmic patterns they have noticed in their daily routines. Storytelling with Rhythm (15 minutes): * Read a selected storybook aloud to the class. After reading, discuss the main themes or repetitive patterns in the story.

Lesson Conclusion

* In groups, students create a short rhythmic piece using their instruments or objects that represents the story or its themes. They can use rhythm to convey different emotions or actions from the story. * Invite groups to perform their rhythmic pieces for the class. * Conclude with a reflection on how different rhythms can express various emotions or stories. Discuss how understanding rhythm enhances their appreciation of music and the world around them.

Reflection

Recall and Describe: Start by asking students to recall and describe their favorite part of the lesson. This could be a specific activity, a piece of music they heard, or creating their own rhythms. Encouraging students to articulate these moments helps reinforce their learning and makes the experience more memorable. Personal Connection: Encourage students to make personal connections by asking how the rhythms they explored in class are similar to or different from rhythms they encounter in their daily lives. This could include rhythms in nature, home routines, or even their own heartbeat. This step helps students recognize the ubiquity of rhythm in their environment and personal experiences. Emotions and Music: Reflect on how different rhythms made them feel. Did any rhythm make them feel particularly happy, calm, excited, or any other emotion? Discussing the emotional impact of rhythm can help students understand the power of music in expressing and inducing emotions. Application of Rhythm: Discuss how understanding rhythm can be useful in other areas of learning and life. This could include its role in enhancing reading fluency, improving coordination in physical activities, or even aiding in mathematical understanding through patterns. Creative Expression: Reflect on the process of creating their own rhythms. Ask students to share how they chose their rhythms and what inspired their creations. This can help students appreciate their own creative abilities and understand the value of individual expression in music. Future Exploration: Conclude by asking students how they might explore rhythms further, both in and out of school. This could involve listening to different types of music, participating in musical activities, or observing and creating rhythms in everyday life. Feedback on the Lesson: Finally, solicit feedback from the students about the lesson. What did they enjoy the most? What challenges did they face? How do they feel about rhythm now? This feedback can inform future lessons and help teachers understand students’ learning experiences better.