Sing songs . . .
1. without accompaniment
2. with live accompaniment (guitar, keyboard, percussion, etc.)
3. with recorded accompaniment
4. from memory
5. from a lyric sheet or electronic media (karaoke)
6. to remember curricular material (songs-that-teach)
7. for special occasions (seasons, holidays, etc)
8. to accompany daily tasks
9. as a writing or discussion prompt
10. for enjoyment
Write songs . . .
11. by putting original lyrics to familiar tunes
12. by putting original lyrics to original tunes (poetry extension)
13. by adapting words in familiar songs
14. by adding verses to familiar songs
15. individually
16. in small groups
17. as a class
18. to remember or practice specific curricular material
19. to tell a story
20. to express personal thoughts and feelings
Create rhythmic rhymes (raps) . . .
21. out of poems, saying them in rhythm
22. out of stories, saying them in rhythm
23. along with a live beat or rhythm pattern
24. along with recorded rhythm tracks or other recorded music
25. as part of a game (hand-claps, jump rope)
26. about a specific curriculum area
27. individually
28. with a partner or small group
29. together as a class
30. as a writing prompt (a narrative story, for example)
Create rhythms . . .
31. using repeated words or other vocal sounds
32. using body percussion
33. using rhythm instruments
34. by echoing, answering, or joining in
35. using box notation
36. using “standard” notation
37. by overlapping complementary patterns
38. to use as accompaniments for raps or songs
39. to use as accompaniments for stories or dances
40. as portions of longer compositions
Explore sounds . . .
41. by collecting soundscapes
42. by describing/narrating soundscapes (writing prompt)
43. by experimenting with ways to create sounds
44. in the context of the Science of Sound (sounds waves , instruments, etc.)
45. by varying volume or tempo (e.g. gradually getting faster or slower, louder or softer)
46. to improvise complementary rhythm patterns with found sounds
47. by making musical instruments out of junk or common household items
48. to develop sound effects for stories or plays
49. to be used in abstract sound compositions (composition maps)
50. to sound like something in the curriculum (thunderstorm, cities, farms)
Listen to recordings . . .
51. from diverse styles of music
52. from diverse musical cultures
53. from various historical eras (music of the Civil War, for example)
54. as background for other class activities including presentations or stories
55. as a writing prompt (write a story to match the music)
56. as an art prompt (draw a picture to match the music)
57. and discuss the meaning of the lyrics
58. of songs that class members have recorded
59. and play the beat or rhythm on percussion instruments
60. and discuss/explore musical preferences (graph)
Move . . .
61. along with recorded music
62. along with beats or rhythms created by the teacher and/or students
63. by mirroring slow movement, following the teacher (focus activity) or a partner
64. to the beat following a leader or partner
65. as part of a traditional singing game
66. by dancing traditional dances from around the world
67. by creating original dances (line dances, for example)
68. by participating in traditional hand clapping or jump rope games
69. by creating original hand clapping patterns
70. by making up actions for a song
Play . . .
71. instruments “by ear” without notation
72. instruments by reading “standard” notation
73. instruments by reading tablature
74. accompaniments on percussion instruments
75. tunes on wind or string instruments
76. chord accompaniments on string or keyboard instruments
77. instruments representative of specific peoples and cultures
78. percussion instruments along with recordings
79. sounds using body percussion
80. using found sounds
Explore . . .
81. musical preferences of classmates, family, and friends.
82. emotions or thoughts connected with listening to various styles of music
83. musical careers
84. and graph preferences, careers, etc.
85. musical practices by recording songs that parents and others sing
86. various styles of music
87. music from around the world
88. connections between music and other arts
89. connections between music and other school subjects
90. musical elements (pitch, rhythm, dynamics, energy, motion, etc.)
Discuss . . .
91. appropriate audience behavior for various performances (jazz, rock, classical)
92. what makes a good performance in various styles
93. why people value music
94. personal musical preferences
95. experiences and memories related to music
96. music in commercials
97. music in TV and movies
98. classifications of musical instruments
99. how music and music making can enhance overall well-being or happiness
or . . .
100. use your own idea.
