TEACHER´S GUIDE
MODULE 6
GRADE 1st BGU
LESSON TITLE: THE MUSIC IN OUR
LIVES
English
1. Music vocabulary
2. Mixed tenses expressions
3. Mixed tenses
4. Read about music
5.Write a summary
Interdisciplinary:
6. Art: Musical instruments
7. Social Studies: History of music
8. Science: Music and emotions
Values:
9. Cultural identity
PAGE 2
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL
AWARENESS
Teacher tip:
Ask students what they think about the origin
of music.
Answers: may vary.
PAGE 3
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Script:
Hi class! Are you ready to talk about music
today? Well. Let’s learn about the first known
musical instruments.
The earliest forms of music were probably
drum-based, percussion instruments being
the most available at the time, for example
rocks or sticks. These simple instruments
might have been used in religious ceremonies
as representations of animals. There was no
writing of this kind of "music". We can infer
this because its sounds can be compared
from the music of North and South American
Indigenous peoples and African natives who
still have some ancient religious practices.
More advanced instruments evolved slowly
and constantly. It is known that by 4000 BC
the Egyptians had created harps and flutes,
and by 3500 BC lyres and clarinets had been
developed.
An early form of the trumpet had been
developed in Denmark, by 2500 BC. This
trumpet is what is now known as a "natural
trumpet." It depends completely on
manipulation of the lips to change the sound.
The guitar, one of the most popular
instruments today, was created in 1500 BC.
This was a great step; the pitch of a vibrating
string would have led to later instruments
such as the violin.
Answers:
Prehistoric times: drum-based, percussion
instruments
4000 BC: harps and flutes
3000 BC: lyres and clarinets
2500 BC: trumpet
1500 BC: guitar
Teacher tip:
After listening to the audios look at the
pictures of the planet spinning around the sun
and have them circle Ecuador and check how
our country always receives the same amount
of light.
PAGE 4
READING
Teacher tip:
Ask students if they know what choral music
is.
If possible, show them videos about choral
music, both, traditional and modern choirs.
Answers:
1. F A choir is a type of music sung by a
choir with two or more voices assigned a part
to sing.
2. F Gregorian Chants and sacred choral
music are related to religion.
3. F Gregorian Chants in Western Europe
were voices singing at the same time in
religious rites.
4. T
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PAGE 5
WRITING
Teacher tip:
Brainstorm the feelings caused by music.
Remind students about the writing process.
Guide them with process and encourage them
to answer the questions in order to organize
ideas.
PAGE 6
LANGUAGE THROUGH THE ARTS
Teacher tip:
Let students organize themselves in groups
and support them when preparing their
presentations.
Be aware that the lyrics do not have rude
words or other kind of inappropriate
expressions.
PAGE 7
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Script:
Welcome to our program! Music, art and
happiness. Today we are going to talk about
the benefits we get with music. Yes… believe
it or not, music is good for us.
Isn’t it interesting how hearing a particular
song can bring back a special memory or
make you feel happy or calm? People are
born with the ability to tell the difference
between music and noise. Fast music can
actually increase your heart rate, breathing,
and blood pressure, while slower music tends
to have the opposite effect.
Although, we still do not understand the real
effects of music. Some studies suggest that
listening to music can have the following
positive effects on health.
Improves mood, reduces stress, lessens
anxiety, improves exercise, improves
memory.
Eases pain. Provides comfort, improves
cognition, among others. One study also
2
showed that people who actively participate
in singing or playing instruments have better
immune system. It is important to notice that
not all music have the same effects.
https://www.lifehack.org/317747/scientists-
find-15-amazing-benefits-listening-music
https://www.gethealthystayhealthy.com/articl
es/10-health-benefits-of-music
Teacher tip:
Discuss the benefits music can bring.
Let the students listen to the audio a couple of
times.
Have them complete the activities
individually.
Have them answer open questions in groups.
Answers:
b, d, e
PAGE 8
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL
AWARENESS
Answers:
a. Learn about better ways to build our houses
b. Use the special equipment available to
predict earthquakes
c. Take care of nature
e. Educate people so we all know how to
react if something happens.
Teacher tip:
Start with discussing students’ knowledge on
the topic.
Ask them about their knowledge of the risks
in their communities.
PAGE 9
ORAL COMUNICATION
Teacher tip:
Ask them how they feel when it is too hot.
Have them work in groups to complete the
activity. Guide them if necessary.
Script:
Interviewer: Hello everyone and welcome to
our radio show. I’m your host Samantha
Smith and today I am joined by Dr. Jones, a
neurologist that is going to talk about the
interesting role that music plays in our
memories. Welcome Dr. Jones!
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Dr. Jones: Hello everyone, thanks for having Answers:

me on your show Samantha! 1. music, brain.
Interviewer: So tell us Dr. Jones why can a 2.areas, memory
particular song remind us of a special 3. rhythm and rhyme
moment or memory? 4. explicit and implicit
Dr. Jones: Neuroscientists have studied the 5. implicit memory
effects of music and the brain for a long time Teacher tip:
and we think that we know why certain songs Let them listen to the audio a couple of times.
can remind us of a memory in such a Make sure they understand most of the
powerful way. You see, the hippocampus and information contained in the activity.
the frontal cortex are two large areas in the Encourage them to complete the second
brain that are associated with memory and it activity speaking only English.
is not always easy to retrieve information
from these areas because of how much PAGE 10
information they process every minute. The READING
reason a song reminds us of a particular Teacher tip:
moment or feeling so strongly is because it Ask the students what they know about
contains a rhythm and rhyme that helps our classic music.
brains to access that information in a unique If possible, show them videos of orchestras
way. playing classic music.
Interviewer: That is so interesting! And tell Ask them if they like it.
us doctor, why are we reminded of certain Have students read the passage and complete
emotions when we listen to a song, why don’t the chart un groups.
we just remember the lyrics of the song?
Dr. Jones: That’s a very good question PAGE 11
Samantha. There are different types of WRITING
memory, like explicit and implicit memory. Teacher tip:
Explicit memories are ones that we know Encourage students to express their feelings
about like what you ate this morning. Implicit and emotions when listening to some special
memories are more subconscious and songs.
reactive. This means that they are Have them answer the questions in order to
emotionally based and we cannot simply organize ideas.
think about them to remember them. Students may want to let their classmates read
Interviewer: Oh, I see. So, when we feel their paragraphs.
emotions when we listen to a song, it is being
triggered by our implicit memories? PAGE 12
Dr. Jones: Exactly Samantha! Emotions that LANGUAGE THROUGH THE ARTS
we remember or feel through music, often .
come from a particular time in our lives such Teacher tip:
as our childhood or teenage years. This Guide students in order to use correct
probably happens because when we are vocabulary and expressions.
young, everything seems new and exciting. Put the posters in the classroom and let
Interviewer: Wow, this has been such an students share their family’s special
interesting conversation. Thanks for being on moments.
the program Dr. Jones!
Dr. Jones: Thanks for having me on! PAGE 13
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/2014041 ORAL COMMUNCATION
7-why-does-music-evoke-memories Teacher tip:

3

Students should enjoy this activity. Let them
get into groups if they want.
Make sure that lyrics and expressions are
appropriate for students.
PAGES 14 AND 15
ASSESSMENT
VOCABULARY
Piano  A stringed musical instrument
which is operated from a keyboard. The
strings are struck by wooden hammers.
Guitar  A string instrument played by
plucking the strings and usually made from
wood or plastic.
Violin  A string instrument that has four
strings and is played with a bow, it is held
between the shoulder and the chin.
Ukulele  A small, guitar-like musical
instrument associated with Hawaiian music.
Piano  A stringed musical instrument
which is operated from a keyboard. The
strings are struck by wooden hammers.
READING
1. F. Researchers in Finland have developed
a new method to study how the brain
processes different parts of music.
2. T
3. F Our brain reacts to music the same way it
reacts to food.
4. F Dopamine is released in our brain every
time we experience something that we really
like.
PAGE 16
PROJECT
Let students play some music with their
home-made instruments.
PAGE 17
LISTENING
Script:
How many instruments can you play? One?
Two? Three? There are some people that can
play a lot of different instruments! They are
called multi-instrumentalist. There are many
benefits to playing different instruments. You
could play in a band at school or start one
with your friends. If you practice playing a
4
lot of different instruments you could even
become a famous musician.
There are different types of instruments you
can choose to play. For example, if you want
to play classical music, you can learn how to
play the flute, the clarinet, and the violin. If
you want to play rock music you could learn
how to play the guitar and the drums!
Answers:
1. A multi-instrumentalist is a person that
plays a lot of different instruments.
2. You could play in a band at school or start
one with your friends. If you practice playing
a lot of different instruments you could even
become a famous musician.
3. If you want to play classical music, you
can learn how to play the flute, the clarinet,
and the violin.
4. Answers may vary.
READING
a. It was popular because of its special
rhythm which was composed by different
musical traditions like soul, funk, and even
salsa.
b. Deejays were the creators of this particular
music by mixing songs.
c. It became popular in the 1970’s.
d. The song that is even danced nowadays is
YMCA by Village People.
PAGE 18
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL
AWARENESS
Teacher tip:
Ask students if they know about Elvis Presley
or other famous singers or musicians.
Read the passage and have students get the
most important ideas.
Answers:
3, 4, 5
PAGE 19
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Teacher tip:
Explore previous knowledge by asking some
questions about the guitar.
4

Let them listen to the audio a couple of times.
Students might want to work on the activity
in groups.
Script:
The guitar is a string instrument. It is used to
play different styles of music like jazz, rock,
and reggae. Guitars are usually made of
wood and have three parts: the body, neck
and head.
The sound made by a guitar is projected
acoustically through the sound box to the rest
of the guitar. The sound box is located in the
middle of the biggest part of the guitar which
is also called the body. The strings that run
through the long part of the guitar from the
body to the top of the guitar is called the
neck. The top of the guitar, or the head, has
the tuning pegs from where the six strings on
the guitar run all the way to the bottom to the
bridge.
The guitar is typically played by strumming
or plucking the strings with one hand while
the other hand presses the strings along the
neck.
https://pop-culture.fandom.com/wiki/Guitar
http://www.amisoninstituteofmusic.com/Katy
TheoryLessons/index.html
https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/gu
itar/390915
Answers:
1. head
2. neck
3. body
PAGE 20
READING
Teacher tip:
Ask students what they know about violins.
Ask them if they recognize their sound.
Show them a video where musicians play the
violin.
Answers:
1. Violins were typically made with the wood
from maple trees that are available
in the Lombardy region of Italy.
2. Brescia was the first city to make
quality violins.
5
3. Cremona was home to some of the
most famous luthiers like Giuseppe Guarneri,
Antonio Stradivari and the Amati family.
4. The Amati family became so famous for
their skills
in crafting violins that Catherine de Médicis,
a ruler from France, asked
them to make a variety of string instruments
for the Royal Ensemble.
5. Answers may vary
PAGE 21
WRITING
Teacher tip:
Tell students how we can report what other
people say.
Have them read the grammar note and focus
on the structures used to report.
Guide them when students write the article
reporting what the artist said.
Answers: may vary.
PAGE 22
LANGUAGE THROUGH THE ARTS
Teacher tip:
You could do the research about mind maps
in order to guide students.
Guide them to find the most important ideas.
Answers:
a. A fiddle is someone who plays the violin.
b. The modern violin is about 400 years old
while other string instruments like the harp
have been around for almost 1,000 years.
c. Because violins became one of the most
important instruments in orchestras in the
17th century and many composers wrote
music that included the violin.
PAGE 23
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Script:
Hello everyone and welcome to the National
Music Museum! I’m going to show you guys
some really cool ancient instruments and
explain their origins to you.
The first instrument we have here is an
ancient guitar. This guitar probably
5

originated from Spain in the 16th century and
it was smaller and narrower than the modern
guitar. Today, guitars are bigger and more
varieties exit like the electric guitar.
Over here we have an ancient flute that was
found in Germany. This flute is at least
35,000 years old and it is about 22 cm long
and has 5 holes on it to play music! There are
different types of ancient flutes; some are
held in a vertical position and some are held
in a horizontal position. Flutes are musical
instruments that have existed for a very long
time and have been played in many
civilizations like that of the Greeks and the
Chinese.
Finally, we have this ancient trumpet that
was found in the tomb of the Egyptian
pharaoh Tutankhamun. These ancient
trumpets are over 3,000 years old! They are
very long and are engraved with some
drawings of Egyptian gods like Ptah and
Amun. Nowadays, trumpets look a lot
different. They are smaller and made of
brass.
https://www.britannica.com/art/guitar
https://www.oldest.org/music/musical-
instruments/
https://www.britannica.com/art/flute-musical-
instrument
Teacher tip:
Discuss in class what instruments students
think are the oldest.
Have them listen to audio a couple of times.
Answers:
1. F The ancient guitar probably originated in
Spain.
2. T
3. T
4. They were very long.
PAGE 24
COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL
AWARENESS
Teacher tip:
Ask students what they know about some
rhythms and different origins.
Answers: may vary.
6
PAGE 25
ORAL COMUNICATION
Teacher tip:
Ask the students if they recognize the person
in the picture and her songs.
Ask them if they know about the influence of
classic music.
Script:
Hello everyone and welcome to our weekly
musical report where we talk about, you
guessed it, music! This week we are going to
briefly talk about the influence that classical
music has had on other music genres.
Even though classical music is not as popular
as it used to be, it continues to be one of the
most liked and inspiring types of genres of all
time. Several classical composers such as
Mozart and Beethoven, created wonderful
pieces of music that have captivated
generations of people.
You might listen to some of these composer’s
music nowadays but did you know that
classical music has influenced almost every
genre of music that is popular today? Many
of today’s pop songs are based on a handful
of chords and sequences that were discovered
during the Classical period. This means that
really famous artists like Adele or Lady Gaga
have used themes from classical music in
some of their songs!
The chorus is without a doubt one of the main
ways that classical music has impacted
today’s music. The chorus, or the short
melody repeated throughout most songs, was
first seen during the Classical era. The
majority of songs we hear on the radio today
also include a chorus. It’s typically the part
of songs we remember the most, and we have
the Classical era to thank for it!
https://blog.drooble.com/classical-music-
influences-popular-music-today/
Answers:
1. Several classical composers such as Mozart
and Beethoven, created wonderful pieces of
music that have captivated generations of
people.
6

2. Many of today’s pop songs are based on a
handful of chords and sequences that were
discovered during the Classical period. Also
the chorus is without a doubt one of the main
ways that classical music has impacted
today’s music.
3. Because it is a short melody repeated
throughout most songs.
PAGE 26
READING
Teacher tip:
You could start by asking if they know any
legend about musicians. Some of them could
mention the “club of 27”.
Let them know that many years ago people
also created stories about other talented
musicians.
After reading the passage ask them their
opinions about the story.
Answers:
1. Paganini’s mother wanted him to become a
famous violinist so people believed that she
had made a deal with the Devil; trading her
son’s soul to him so that he would be the
greatest violinist in history.
2. Because of two possible physical
syndromes: Marfan’s and Ehlers-Danlos.
T or F
1. F He was famous because he memorized
all the songs he played.
2. T
3. F All churches refused to bury him in their
yards.
PAGE 27
WRITING
Teacher tip:
Review very quickly the tenses mentioned in
the grammar note section.
Remind about the writing process and the
importance of following it.
Ask them to get the information they like the
most about the violin.
Guide them in the use of expressions and
language use.
PAGE 28
7
LANGUAGE THROUGH THE ARTS
Teacher tip:
Let students work in small groups if they
need it in order to get ideas to write the song.
Make sure they are using appropriate and
correct expressions.
PAGE 29
ORAL COMMUNCATION
Script:
The traditional chants and melodies of
Andean music come from areas in which
indigenous groups, like the Quechua people
that are originally from Peru, and the
Aymaras that are originally from Bolivia,
live.
The early forms of this type of music were
mixed with other elements of Spanish music
from Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia,
Peru and Venezuela. Andean music is
popular to different degrees across Latin
America. It is most popular in rural areas
and among indigenous populations. The
Nueva Canción movement of the 1970s
revived the genre across Latin America and
brought it to places where it was unknown or
forgotten.
The 1970s was a decade in which Andean
music saw its biggest growth. Different
groups came out of the different villages
throughout the Andes. Many musicians
moved to bigger cities forming different
bands and groups. One of the most legendary
was Los Kjarkas, from Bolivia. They became
huge hits in Bolivia and would later take
Andean music to the rest of the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_music
Teacher tip:
Explore previous knowledge about Andean
music and the most common instruments
used to play it.
Talk about its beauty and wonderful sounds.
Answers: are part of the script.
PAGES 30 AND 31
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 8

ASSESSMENT Talk about the kinds of music.

READING Do research about the most common kind of
Answers: music in students’ community, neighborhood,
1. T town, etc.
2. F It was created by Alomía Robles.
3. F It is now free for the public to use.

1. Alomía Robles first composed El condor

pasa.
2. The original composition was done to be
played by an orchestra.
3. In 1933, the rights of El Cóndor Pasa were
sold to the Edward B. Marks Music
Corporation.
LISTENING
Script:
Diego: Hey Carla! I heard your dad wrote a
new song with his band Las Aves Blancas.
Carla: He did Diego! He spent a lot of time
working on it and he practiced a lot with the
other members in his band.
Diego: That is so cool! What is the name of
the song and when are they going to release
it?
Carla: Well the name of the song is called
Tristes Rios and they are working on
finishing an album so they still need to make
3 more songs.
Diego: Oh ok, and how many songs will be
on their album?
Carla: It’s going to be a full-length album so
about 10-12 songs. I think they will release
the album in 4 to 6 months.
Diego: That sounds really exciting, you have
to let me know when they release it so I can
buy it!
Carla: I definitely will!
Answers:
1. His band Las Aves Blancas
2. The song is called Tristes Rios.
3. It will be a full-length album so it will have
about 10-12 songs.
4. It will be released in about 4 to 6 months.

PAGE 32
PROJECT
Read the information about traditional
Ecuadorian music.

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