Creative Clutter and Music

So... this was my new idea for addressing Colorado Music Standard 2. Creation of Music.  The 5th Grade Grade Level Expectation is for students to compose, improvise, and arrange melody with rhythmic accompaniment.  I use Precorders from Suzuki Music.  The precorder allows for earlier success than the recorder, with raised finger holes, side markings for hand placement, and a warmer tone with less squeaking.  5th Grade students had been working through Recorder Karate at their own pace.  Following Thanksgiving Break we worked on some Holiday tunes I gathered.  For their arrangement project students chose groups, then a song.  Students were given a worksheet with the rubric.  Instructions included that within their performance two people must play the precorder, the 3rd and 4th student could sing, dance, or play a rhythm instrument. Several students started asking other questions.  In the end I had students play the piano, bring and play a...

Students started bringing in their instrument creations yesterday!  Today's presentations were very exciting.  The students knew what was expected of them based on the rubric in a previous post.  Just a sample of some of the great things they came up with!!

As part of the second grade unit, Musical Ecosystem ( http://www.cde.state.co.us/standardsandinstruction/curriculumoverviews-bycontent#MU  ) must learn to identify and categorize instruments into the correct family.  I have the students review basics by making a page for their own Musical Instrument Family Book after we discuss each family. Following the learning of all families students must make their own instrument. I can't wait to post pictures of some of the completed projects!!!

Brass Week for second grade!!  They have been learning about brass instruments and today my student teacher demonstrated trumpet and flugelhorn, then we borrowed a sousaphone from the high school and all the kids got to give it a try (with disinfectant spray between of course).  The kids LOVED it!!