10/27 Lesson Plan 6+

Student Teacher Name: Grace Kenny Date: 10/27

Lesson Topic and Grade: Strings Lessons, 6

PA Academic Standards (Benchmarks/Indicators) or National Standards of Music addressed:

MU:Pr6.1.E.5a Demonstrate attention to technical accuracy and expressive qualities in prepared and
improvised performances of a varied repertoire of music.
MU:Pr5.3.E.8a Develop strategies to address technical challenges in a varied repertoire of music and
evaluate their success using feedback from ensemble peers and other sources to refine performances.
Essential Question, We Can, DOK:
What are things that we consider before playing a new piece of music?
- We can use sight-reading strategies. We can play in A minor, G major, and D major.
- DOK 2
Concepts/Vocabulary:
Accompaniment, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, ostinato, arpeggio, drone
slur, CKT (Clef, Key Signature, Time Signature), A minor, posture
Instructional Objectives:
Students will understand compositional aspects of writing an accompaniment.
Materials:
Instruments for students and teacher
Drummond Castle sheet music
Drummond Castle listening worksheet
Projector
Spotify/access to recordings
Etling String Quartet Music
Opening/Introduction Activity:
Warm Up Sequence: Open String 4-beat Echo Patterns
- Teacher will sing “A A A A,” and then students will play “A A A A.” T will repeat this process for “D
D D D.” T will then sing note-name patterns that alternate between the A and D string. Next, T will
add G to the patterns. Finally T will sing patterns that include C for violas and cellos, or E for violins
and violas.
- T will start to sing note-name patterns on the D string that include fingers. T will repeat this process
on the A string. Finally T will sing patterns that include the string crossing, such as B A G.
Learning Opportunities/Procedure:
Drummond Castle Accompaniment Project Discussion
- T will tell students about the Drummond Castle Accompaniment project
- T will explain that students will write an accompaniment to go along with the melody of
Drummond castle and eventually perform their accompaniment along with the melody (in a few
weeks). We will be working on it for the next few lessons.
Assessing: Drummond Castle Listening Worksheet
- T will pass out the listening worksheet and review the directions with the students. T will explain that
the listening examples are mostly different arrangements of Drummond Castle, and we are listening
to get a sense of different accompaniment-writing strategies.
- For the first listening example, T will explain the key words, “rhythm and notes.” T will explain that
students will be expected to vary their rhythm and notes in their accompaniment, and students should
listen for this in the example. T will project a powerpoint with the key words and their definitions.
Students will write the key words and brief definitions on their worksheet and answer the questions
as they listen to the example.
- T will repeat the process for the following listening examples
- #2: timbre - the character or quality of a musical sound and dynamics - how quietly or loudly a
piece of music should be played
- #3: arpeggio - the notes of a chord, played one after another
- #4: ostinato - a repeated musical phrase
- #5: drone - sustained droning sound
Drummond Castle Checklist
- T will bring students’ attention to the checklist, explaining that students will incorporate the key
words into the accompaniments that they write.
- T will remind students that they will be beginning to write during the next lesson.
Closing Activity:
Etling String Quartets
- T will have students review the piece from last rehearsal. T will have students play through this
piece, while T plays along with anyone who needs it and gives cues.
- T will go on to the next piece and ask about CKT. T will listen to two parts at a time, if necessary and
will rehearse parts of the piece as needed.
Specific Differentiation Strategies:
T will have students share their ideas and will give specific feedback or followup questions.
Assessment:
T will check for understanding and participation through the completion of the Drummond Castle
Listening Worksheet.