Grade 1 Unit 4 Sharing the Planet
“Music like water can flow and take us to different places…”
Grade 1 explored the science
of sound and the various properties of instruments in this Sharing
the Planet Unit. The students listened to sounds puzzles to learn to
identify instrumental sound characteristics. Sound production properties were
investigated and categorized into Membranophones:
any instrument in which the sound is produced by means of a vibrating membrane,
Aerophones: any instrument in which the
sound is produced by means of moving air, Idiophones:
any instruments in which a resonant solid material—such as wood,
metal, or stone—vibrates to produce the initial sound, and Chordophones: any instrument
in which a stretched, vibrating string produces the initial sound. Finger drums
were made with cut PVC pipe and balloons. The students used these in several
class activities. (MU5.1.C)
The students listened to a variety of musical
works such as Benjamin Britten’s Sea
Interludes and Debussy’s La Mer and drew descriptive scenes reflection the
music. The song the Water is Wide, which
describes getting from one side of a big body of water to the other side to
find a special person, was learned. The song is sung in conjunction with another
song called You get a line and I’ll get a
pole which describes a small body of water for fishing. (MU2.1.C) The songs’ themes illustrate how water can
play many different roles in daily life, and how it can inspire song writing
and musical compositions. Students enjoyed singing the 2 parts together in
class.
The Danish holiday Fastelaven was celebrated
during this time and allowed the students a moment to learn the song Kan du gætte hvem jeg er. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFDVuvBGuvc
A listening and
sound exploration game called Jamaquacks was introduced. Students responded to
sound flash cards and learned to conduct each other’s sounds cards. This
activity paved the way for the next 2 units.
