Unit Overview of Lessons
These lessons help introduce students to a famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky, and the third movement from his Symphony No. 4, written in 1877 and 1878. This lively movement is known for its use of pizzicato (plucked) strings. This unit is comprised of four lesson plans. There are two lessons for grades K-2 (Lessons 1A and 2A) and two lessons for grades 3-5 (Lessons 1B and 2B, respectively). Lesson activities, while similar, are differentiated to fit the age groups.
The standards-based lessons on Tchaikovsky provide students the opportunity to move, create, and to play a “found sound” based on the listening experience. The National Standards, Objectives, Conceptual and Contextual Understandings, and Vocabulary are listed, in addition to Enduring Understandings and Essential Questions. Simple assessment strategies are also included. A section at the end of the lesson plans labelled “Extensions” can be entire stand-alone lessons, in some cases.
YouTube video performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as a youth orchestra allow students to see the instruments and watch the conductor. An audio-only recording features Marin Allsop conducting the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
In Lessons 1A and 1B, students discern the timbres of instrument families, moving to each of them differently while keeping the beat and showing the form of the music.
In Lessons 2A and 2B, students learn to conduct in a pattern of 2. Younger students use the basic beat pattern only (which can be done symmetrically using both hands), while older students are challenged to have more independence of the hands, showing changes of expression. Students in all grades also experiment with a plucked “found sound.” Young students do this with a cup and rubber band, whereas older students use a string attached to their chair. Teachers should experiment with the objects ahead of time to choose the best-sounding materials that fit their resources. It may be helpful to make the “found sound” experience into a separate lesson.
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 prior to using YouTube videos in the classroom, and cue videos past all ads before class. It is always helpful to supplement the experience by inviting guest musicians to the classroom to demonstrate their instruments and some of the techniques heard in the music.
Underlining indicates hyperlinked lesson components.
The lessons plans are:
Grades K-2
Lesson 1A: Instrument Families
Lesson 2A: Instrument Families
Grades 3-5
Lesson 1B Conduct, then Pluck a Sound
Lesson 2B Conduct, then Pluck a String
