These lessons help introduce students to piano music by a famous American composer of the modern era, George Gershwin, who blends elements of jazz with classical music.
To best meet student needs there is one lesson for grades K-2 (Lesson 1A, which uses Prelude #3) and three extended lessons for grades 3-6 (Lessons 1B, 2B, and 3B, which use Prelude #1, #2, and #3, respectively). Sections of the lesson plans labelled “Optional” or “Extensions” can be entire stand-alone lessons, in some cases.
The lessons provide students the opportunity to move, sing, play instruments, and create, based on the listening experience. The National Standards listed for each lesson facilitate experiences in creating, performing, responding, and connecting the listening experience to other topics and daily life. Conceptual and Contextual Understandings are listed to highlight the musical and cultural-contextual learnings.
The audio recording used for the lessons features pianist André Watts, as does the concert video (note that timestamps are specific to each format). Past shows from Classics for Kids and other resources are linked to the lesson plans, including an interview with André Watts on YouTube.
Teachers can choose the components of the lesson plans that best meet their instructional needs and the developmental levels of their students. Teachers should get any permission needed for their use of YouTube videos in the classroom, and cue videos past all ads before class.
Underlining indicates hyperlinked lesson components.
The lessons plans are:
Grades K-2
Lesson 1A: Move to the Beat and Form
Grades 3-6
Lesson 1B: Dynamics/Expression
Lesson 2B: Melody and Accompaniment
Lesson 3B: Move to the Beat and Form
