The document outlines a lesson plan for a grade 3 music class where students will learn to create sounds using their bodies. They will form a "storm choir" by taking turns rubbing hands, snapping fingers, slapping thighs, and jumping. The teacher will explain that music can be made in many ways without traditional instruments. Students will watch a video of a "rain choir" and then practice the body movements together under the teacher's conducting. The goal is for students to understand they can be musical instruments and that collaboration is needed to make some sounds.

1. Class: Grade 3 Date: October 8, 2010
Topic: Ideas and Inspiration: Creating a Storm Choir
Subject: Music
Lesson Plan by Peter Bodnarchuk
Content:
Students will learn how to use their physical body as an instrument for
creating sound. They will learn how working as a group (using just their
bodies) unique, interesting sounds can be created.
Objectives:
1) Students will learn that ideas for music expressions come from many different
sources and that unique sources can be used to create sounds.
2) Students will learn about the expressive qualities and possibilities of sounds.
3) Students will learn about the need for group collaboration in order to create
certain sounds and how collaboration is often a requirement in musical
performances, ex. duets, trios, quartets, bands, symphony, Choir.
Assessment:
1) Students will be assessed as to their willingness to work as a group to create
unique sounds.
2) Students will be assessed as to their understanding (accomplished via class
discussion) regarding the need for others to create certain sounds.
Common Essential Learnings:
Communication
Critical and Creative Thinking
Independent Learning
Numeracy
Personal and Social Development
Technology
Creative/Productive; Cultural/Historical; Critical/Responsive
Prerequisite Learning:
Students will have previously worked together as a musical group. This will give
them a certain level of comfort and willingness to achieve a collaborative goal.
Lesson Preparation:
Equipment/Materials:
Computer access to Internet and projector
Whiteboard (for teacher to write the order of movements the students will perform)

2. Advanced Preparation:
NA
Presentation: (50 min.)
Set: (5 min.)
Students will learn how to create unique sounds using their bodies as instruments.
Development: (35 min.)
1) Teacher will explain to the students that musical sound can be generated in
many different ways and does not always include the use of what would be
considered a traditionally defined instrument. For example our bodies can be
used as instruments such as snapping our fingers, ask class to snap fingers.
2) Play video of “Rain Choir.” See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZVpZqistk
3) Write down on Whiteboard or Smartboard the order in which the
movements will be performed. 1) Rubbing palms of hands together, 2)
snapping of fingers, 3) slapping hands on thighs, 4) jumping on the floor
4) Teacher will ask the class to stand and form group in the center of the room.
5) Teacher will then have the students perform the order of movements.
6) Finally the teacher will conduct the students when to change movements,
thus creating the “Rain Choir.”
7) Teacher will then have brief discussion with the students about the work,
specifically using their bodies to create sound and the need for group
collaboration to create such sounds.
Closure: (10 Min.)
1) If time permits and class goes well, an in‐class or gym performance of the
composition would end the lesson beautifully. This of course will depend on
the ease in which the students master this work. Another option is to have
the students take turns conducting the “Rain Choir.”
Classroom Management Strategies:
1) Class demonstration and individual/group teacher interaction.
2) Positive encouragement and assurance of the ability to musically perform the
given composition.
Professional Development Plan:
Focus: Time Management
How I plan to achieve my focus:
1) Slowly process the children through the “Rain Choir” concept.
2) Allow children time to process each step.
3) Engage the children in ongoing discussion throughout the lesson.
Evidence of Success (Anticipated Outcome): Children will successfully perform
the “Rain Choir” within the allotted 50 min. lesson time frame.