Vivaldi Inspired Science Lesson

Grade 5

Introduction –

Students will form a connection between Earth Science and music through the Vivaldi’s Four Seasons through the use of audio and visual tools in the science classroom. 

Reasons for the seasons and review of why and how each season occurs will be reinforced and reviewed.  At the same time, students will gain an awareness and appreciation for the way composers use Earth’s natural forces to inspire their work.

Students will work both cooperatively and independently to demonstrate understanding of Earth’s seasons and other related Earth Science objectives.

State Correlations -   

SCI5.4.13

SCI.K.4.06

SCI.1.5.05, SCI.1.4.07

SCI.2.4.07, SCI.2.4.08

Materials –

Copy of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

Lion King CD

Theme from Rocky

Class set of globes

Flashlights

KWL Handout

Instructional Considerations –

Whole group

Guided

Partnerships and small group

Independent

Guided –

Teacher build interest in lesson by asking students to think about recognizable music scores from favorite movies and soliciting responses to the following questions: (if students are unable to think of examples on their own, teacher may provide a few examples.  For example, The Circle of Life from The Lion King or The theme song from Rocky.

What do you think of when you hear this piece?

What was going on in the scene at that time?

How does the music make you feel?

Why do you think music is added to movies and television shows?

Then play segments from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.  Ask students if they recognize the piece.  Give a brief history of the musician and his inspiration for the composition.

Inform students that nature and Earth’s natural occurrences have inspired many beautiful works of art.  Inform students that they will be learning about the seasons that happen on Earth, why they occur, and why they influence the work of many great artists. 

Break away into partnerships and have students complete a KWL about the seasons.  Encourage students to consider the colors of each season, temperature , human and animal adaptations.

Share responses with the whole group. 

Demonstrate to the class through the use of a flashlight and a globe how seasons occur and allow time for each small group to experience the lab.  Have students complete the What I Want to Know/Learned sections of the KWL chart.

As a whole group, address any misconceptions the students might have and allow for a brief question/answer session based on their charts. 

Instruct students that they are now going to do an independent extension of the lesson. 

Relate the goal of the activity – You will connect a piece of music to a natural occurrence on Earth or in space.  Projects can elaborate and extend to any of the Earth Science objectives including natural disasters such as thunderstorms, volcanoes, earthquakes or space travel within and beyond our solar system.

Allow students to present their projects in a variety of ways such as Power Point, posters, dramatic interpretations, or diorama type displays.

Assessement –

Use the attached rubric for final assessment.