Earth’s Forces

Overview:

The lesson will allow students to compose and create rhythmic, musical phrases to represent a specific force of nature that changes the earth’s surface, explaining their rhythmic and instrument choices.

Clear: SC1.3.6B Identify that the surface of the earth can be changed by forces such as earthquakes and glaciers.

Music: 117.12.b.1.a Categorize musical sounds.

117.12.b.2.a Sing or play classroom instruments independently or in groups.

117.12.b.4.a Create rhythmic phrases and sound representations.

117.12.b.6.b Exhibit audience etiquette during live performances.

Procedure/Activity for observation:

1) Review characteristics of each force that quickly changes the earth’s surface.

2) Listen to a recording of Mussorsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain to asses representation of instruments. (See other possible recordings of programmatic music in materials section)

3) Listen to available rhythm instruments; distinguish sound timbre, select appropriate representation of elements of nature.

4) Students will divide into groups composing a rhythmic character piece to represent and describe the chosen force of nature, justifying their instrument choices.

5) Each group will perform the piece for the class.

6) After performing the piece, the group participants will convince the audience of instrumental representation for chosen storm.

Assessment/Evaluation:

Presentation will meet rubric criteria.

Extension:

Students will play composition to muted video of force of nature to accompany disaster.

Materials:

South American Instrument Set (Music in Motion #2214, $99)

“Stomp, Boom, Blast” (Music in Motion #9431, $43)

“Pots, Pans and Spoons, Oh My!” (Music in Motion #7252, $24.95)

Thundertube (Music in Motion #1025, $11.95)

Cactus Rainsticks (Music in Motion #3360, $72)

Science Posters (Class Direct #140-331521ss, $17.99)

Weather Wise Science Activity (Class Direct #140-2154LER, $19.99)

Erupting Volcano (Class Direct #140-2430LER, $24.99)

Tornado Tube Pack (Class Direct #140-TUB450 WREN, $12.99)

Classroom Kit (Class Direct #149840 WREN, $39.99)

Volcanoes, Earthquakes (Class Direct #140-2127 LER, $12.99)

Tsunami Kit

National Geographic Videos of Storms

Other Recordings:

“Four Seasons”, Vivaldi

“La Mer”, Debussy

“Night on Bald Mountain”, Mussorsky

“Pines of Rome”, Resphiggi