September Week 1 Lesson: 1st Grade
Note For How I Organize My Lessons
Before I share my lessons for September Week 1, I wanted to share with you generally how I structure my lesson planning. I have 7 skills that I like to make sure are included in my lessons: Sing, Play, Move, Listen, Create, Read/Write, and Respond/Analyze. My goal is to include at least 4 of these skills in every lesson.
When I was in the classroom, my schedule was one class twice a week. My classes ran anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes. So, when I create a weekly lesson, I am using that foundation in mind: each class twice a week. I typically repeat lessons for both classes but may extend an activity in the 2nd lesson. You may see some of that here. Ultimately, you know your classroom and students the best, so I always suggest using my lessons as a guide. The way it is listed here is also not necessarily the order in which I do the activities.
Okayyy, let’s get into the plans for September Week 1.
Focus Goals
- I can show the difference between steady beat and no beat.
- I can tell the difference between my singing voice and speaking voice.
- I can use my singing voice when making music.
- I can listen and respond to music that has a beat or no beat.
Welcome & Warm-Up
Greet the class with a hello song.
I have a full year hello song schedule that you can download here.
Beat or No Beat
Use this video to review beat vs. no beat
Extension/Day 2: Have students give their own beat/no beat examples.
The Wind Blew East
I love using this song to help students feel the difference between a steady beat and no beat. You can have them use scarves/ribbons during the no beat section and march during the beat section.
Extension/Day 2: The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins is a book I like to read after students have learned this song.
Four Voices Review
We spend some time reviewing the four voices that we learned in Kindergarten.
After you review the four voices, have students create their own four voices compostions (this can also be for an extension/day 2). They are learning Engine Engine Number 9 this week (see below) so that will be a good one for them to compose. Have them perform it for the class (a great assessment)
Engine Engine Number 9
Engine Engine Number 9
Going down Chicago line
If the train falls of the track
Will I get my money back.
Use this chant to practice steady beat. There are different variations of this chant. This is the one I use.
Pass out rhythm sticks and have students keep the beat. Split the class up and have one side recite the chant and the other side keep the beat. Switch.
Extension/Day 2: Have students recite the chant, speaking, then have them sing it. This gets them feeling the difference between singing/speaking.
These are beat slips that you can have students use to practice tapping the steady beat.
Sousa’s March vs. Debussy “Clair de Lune.”
Students pat the beat if they hear it, wave their hands if no beat. Let students discuss why one has a beat and one doesn’t.
