Trading Card #4: Music

For my fourth trading card, I focused on the music activity with our found objects.  On my trading card I drew the candy jar that I brought in, filled with mini rainbow chocolate chips.  The jar acted as a shaker, and could make a rhythmic or constant sound.  The music notes on the trading card resemble the sounds that came from the jar I participated in the music activities with the class.  My found object only made one sound, but with everyone together, we could create music that was more unique and more complex.   

I again chose to focus on grade one PLOs since that is the grade I am placed in for my practicum.  I focused on Music PLOs because there were so many outcomes that the found object activity related to in this area. 

B3: Perform rhythmic patterns from classroom repertoire.  One of the suggested achievement indicators for this outcome is to “use body percussion, voice, or non-pitched instruments to produce rhythm.”  By using the found objects exercise, students could use objects as their non-pitched instruments to produce rhythm and experiment with rhythm.

 

B5: Identify elements of tempo, dynamics, articulation, and timbre in classroom repertoire.  The teacher could use the found object exercise to have students create sounds that are faster and slower (tempo), louder and softer (dynamics), or smooth or jumpy (articulation) with the objects that they have.  Doing this actually matches with the achievement indicators for this PLO as well.

 

D1: Demonstrate appropriate performance skills in music settings.  This could include students paying attention to the teacher as she provides instructions of how to use their found objects as instruments.  Students would be actively participating and following cues that the teacher gives to instruct when students should make sounds, and how to make sounds.  Students would also be sharing their work with their classmates, showing what sounds their found object makes.  They would also be listening attentively to learn what objects their classmates are working with, and students would practice waiting quietly for their turn to explain the object that they have.  All of these points would be excellent foundational skills for students to learn in grade one. 

The found objects exercise is an excellent activity for grade one students, because it creates a foundation of music for students that have no background in music.  By beginning with rhythm, students can start with the basics without feeling like they need prior knowledge to participate.  This also helps students build their confidence in music and participating in new activities, and will encourage them to participate in other music activities in the future – after having a first positive experience.