Subjects

• Arts & Humanities:
  --Language Arts
  --Dance, Music
  --Visual Arts
• Physical Education:
  --Exercise/Movement

Grades

• K-2
• 3-5

Brief Description

Objectives

• select a familiar children's tune.
• design a related original set of lyrics or a play, dance, storybook, or puppet show.
• share projects with other students.

Keywords

Music, songs, motions, writing, dance. movement

Materials Needed

• lyrics, and preferably audio clips, of children's tunes (available online)
• paper and pencils
• assorted craft supplies as needed

Lesson Plan

As you begin, discuss the first songs that students recall learning as youngsters. Ask the students to share what makes those songs memorable and fun. Make a list of their favorite children's songs.

Arrange students into small groups, if desired, and allow them to choose one children's song as the focus for a project. Describe the project options that you choose to use. Some project suggestions, depending on grade level and ability, include the following:

• Create a new set of lyrics and original movements for the song.
• Write a skit or play based on the song and perform it (with or without costumes).
• Adapt the song to a faster and more current beat, record this new version, and design an original dance to accompany it. (Students may teach the song and dance to class.)
• Make a large storybook that illustrates the verses of the song with illustrations.
• Write and perform a puppet show that conveys the song's lines and meaning.

If Internet access is readily available, refer students to Sing-Along Songs from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and KIDiddles for music and lyrics. You may also provide recordings and lyrics gathered from the school library. As students complete their work, provide an opportunity for them to share their projects with the entire class.

Assessment

Collect student work and have students submit a summary that identifies the contributions of each group member. Student projects should reflect and enhance their selected songs. All group members should participate in sharing the project with the class.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Cara Bafile

National Standards

FINE ARTS: Dance
GRADES K - 4
NA-D.K-4.1 Identifying and Demonstrating Movement Elements and Skills in Performing Dance
NA-D.K-4.2 Understanding Choreographic Principles, Processes, and Structures
NA-D.K-4.3 Understanding Dance as a Way to Create and Communicate Meaning
NA-D.K-4.4 Applying and Demonstrating Critical and Creative Thinking Skills in Dance
NA-D.K-4.7 Making Connections Between Dance and Other Disciplines
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-D.5-8.1 Identifying and Demonstrating Movement Elements and Skills in Performing Dance
NA-D.5-8.2 Understanding Choreographic Principles, Processes, and Structures
NA-D.5-8.3 Understanding Dance as a Way to Create and Communicate Meaning
NA-D.5-8.4 Applying and Demonstrating Critical and Creative Thinking Skills in Dance
NA-D.5-8.7 Making Connections Between Dance and Other Disciplines

FINE ARTS: Music
GRADES K - 4
NA-M.K-4.1 Singing, Alone and With Others, a Varied Repertoire of Music
NA-M.K-4.6 Listening to, Analyzing, and Describing Music
NA-M.K-4.8 Understanding Relationships Between Music, Other Arts, and Disciplines Outside the Arts
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-M.5-8.1 Singing, Alone and With Others, a Varied Repertoire of Music
NA-M.5-8.6 Listening to, Analyzing, and Describing Music
NA-M.5-8.7 Evaluating Music and Music Performances
NA-M.5-8.8 Understanding Relationships Between Music, Other Arts, and Disciplines Outside the Arts

FINE ARTS: Theatre
GRADES K - 4
NA-T.K-4.1 Script Writing by Planning and Recording Improvisations Based on Personal Experience and Heritage, Imagination, Literature, and History
NA-T.K-4.2 Acting By Assuming Roles and Interacting In Improvisations
NA-T.K-4.3 Designing by Visualizing and Arranging Environments for Classroom Dramatizations
NA-T.K-4.4 Directing By Planning Classroom Dramatizations
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-T.5-8.1 Script Writing by Planning and Recording Improvisations Based on Personal Experience and Heritage, Imagination, Literature, and History
NA-T.5-8.2 Acting By Assuming Roles and Interacting In Improvisations
NA-T.5-8.3 Designing by Visualizing and Arranging Environments for Classroom Dramatizations
NA-T.5-8.4 Directing By Planning Classroom Dramatizations

FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.K-4.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions
NA-VA.K-4.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
NA-VA.K-4.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.5-8.2 Using Knowledge of Structures and Functions
NA-VA.5-8.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
NA-VA.5-8.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines

LANGUAGE ARTS: English
GRADES K - 12
NL-ENG.K-12.2 Reading for Understanding
NL-ENG.K-12.4 Communication Skills
NL-ENG.K-12.6 Applying Knowledge
NL-ENG.K-12.12 Applying Language Skills

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH: Physical Education
GRADES K - 12 NPH.K-12.1 Movement Forms

Return to this week's Lesson Planning article, That's Entertainment: Music Lessons for Every Grade.

See more music lessons on our special Music in Our Schools archive page.