General Music (Benson)

Sample Lesson focusing on Improvisation
Grade K-2
Time Span: approximately 2-4 weeks

Main Objectives:
-improvise melodic sol mi la for B section of selected piece “Starlight, Starbright”
-improvise melodic patterns in C pentatonic
-practice singing sol mi la patterns
-identify location of sol mi la on Orff instruments
-practice chord bordun
-practice AB form

Sequence:
-show visual of text
-model song
-discuss words, rhymes,
and meanings
-teach song by rote or by
solfege
-when secure ask children
to sing and snap on the
underlined words
-repeat asking students to pat legs on the “stars”
-repeat with another movement for the word “wish”
-repeat with all movements
-transfer movements to unpitched percussion instruments
-model speaking text about the moon or stars, for example
I see the moon and the moon sees me.
God bless the moon and God bless me.
-learn text
-pat rhythm of text on legs, encourage the use of both hands alternating
-use as a B section combined with “Starlight Starbright”
-place one Orff instrument in a circle, have the instrument set with only the notes sol mi la
-discuss which bar is sol, mi la
-have students take turns playing rhythm of text on sol mi la while others practice patting rhythm on legs
-if students are having difficulty grasping the concept, the teacher should model a simple improvisation
-use several student’s improvisations as a B section combined with “Starlight Starbright” -if many Orff instruments are available, have students set up in C pentatonic (take off F’s, B’s)
-locate sol mi la
-ask students to play rhythm of text using sol mi la and the other bars that are nearby
-ask students if they can end on a C
-if students are having difficulty grasping the concept, the teacher should model a simple improvisation
-give all students many opportunities to explore improvising to rhythm of text
-when comfortable, have wooden bars play together, then metals, etc.
-ask for duets, and soloists
-review “Starlight Starbright”
-add chord bordun
-combine “Starlight Starbright” with improvisations in AB form