Grade Four Music
Students will develop an: Enjoyment of music, Awareness and appreciation of a variety of music, including the many cultures represented in Canada, Insights into music through meaningful musical activities, Self-expression and creativity, and Musical skills and knowledge.
Children’s early experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your music class to introduce musicians of colour or cultural instruments from around the world. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new musicians of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
K-6 Musicians of Colour by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Enjoyment of Music
Notable Musicians Wall
Powerpoint posters of different prominent musicians. Includes different cultural communities.
Notable Musicians Wall
Powerpoint posters of different prominent musicians. Includes different cultural communities.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use as a way to introduce musicians in your class. Each week, introduce one new musician and have a clip from YouTube of them playing music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Additional accommodations required for visually impaired students; may benefit from descriptions of each performer in the presentation
Books for the Music Room that Represent Minority Groups
Google spreadsheet of book suggestions by music teachers. Features minority groups.
Google spreadsheet of book suggestions by music teachers. Features minority groups.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1. Develop an appreciation for music/ share personal preferences
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to generate book ideas you can use in your music class and encourage representation in your class - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations may be required for hard and hearing and visually impaired students
Culture Connects Us Musician: Yo-Yo Ma
Video of Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. As he plays, a thread connects him to others around the world. Article explains the thought behind the crowdsource project.
Video of Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. As he plays, a thread connects him to others around the world. Article explains the thought behind the crowdsource project.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Article can be used for teacher to learn about Yo-Yo Ma
- Video can be used to have students think about how to move their body - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and visually impaired students may benefit from descriptions of video due to lack of descriptive captioning in video
- Hard of hearing captioning isn't possible, however video is very visual so students can still benefit from watching
How Ella Fitzgerald Turned Forgotten Lyrics Into One Of Her Best Performances Ever Musician: Ella Fitzgerald
Video of when Ella Fitzgerald improvised when she forgot the lyrics to the song "Mack the Knife" and how she subsequently transformed the world of jazz and scatting. Colourful visuals with pictures and sound bites included.
Video of when Ella Fitzgerald improvised when she forgot the lyrics to the song "Mack the Knife" and how she subsequently transformed the world of jazz and scatting. Colourful visuals with pictures and sound bites included.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Use this video to introduce Ella Fitzgerald and her accomplishments as a musician - Accessibility:
- Available captions by the creator
Trombone Shorty Musician: Troy Andrews
Video of Angela Bassett reading the children's book Trombone Shorty. The story outlines Troy Andrews' hometown Tremé, and his love for the trombone. Colourful visuals and sound effects.
Video of Angela Bassett reading the children's book Trombone Shorty. The story outlines Troy Andrews' hometown Tremé, and his love for the trombone. Colourful visuals and sound effects.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1. Develop an appreciation for music/ share personal preferences
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Play the video to show the story
- Ask students what they learned from Trombone Shorty
- Throughout the story, ask: What kinds of melodies were they hearing? Were they fast or slow? Were there high pitches or low pitches? How did the music make you move?
- Discuss what kinds of instruments they heard throughout the book - Accessibility:
- Closed captioned by creator
Covering Rock Classics on the Ancient Gayageum Musician: Luna Lee
In Seoul, South Korea, Luna Lee is mixing a centuries-old Korean instrument, the gayageum, with the music of rock legends.
In Seoul, South Korea, Luna Lee is mixing a centuries-old Korean instrument, the gayageum, with the music of rock legends.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician Luna Lee
- Explore how she is taking traditional instruments and putting her own creative twist
- Compare how the gayageum sounds in comparison to stringed instruments they know such as the guitar or ukelele - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
Awareness and appreciation of a variety of music
Made in Canada: The Making of "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" Musician: King Lou and Capital Q of the Dream Warriors
This video features the Canadian rapper duo the Dream Warriors, and how they came about mixing blues, pop and soul bossa nova to create the hit "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style".
Made in Canada: The Making of "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" Musician: King Lou and Capital Q of the Dream Warriors
This video features the Canadian rapper duo the Dream Warriors, and how they came about mixing blues, pop and soul bossa nova to create the hit "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style".
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Talk about the blending of genres
- Use as an introduction to the rap duo
- Discussion about the diversity of music in Canada - Accessibility:
- Closed captioned by creator
Inuit throat-singing sisters from Canada Musicians: Karin and Kathy Kettler
Video about the cultural significance of Inuit Throat singing with two sisters.
Video about the cultural significance of Inuit Throat singing with two sisters.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce different ways Indigenous Peoples express themselves in music
- Have a discussion: Why is throat singing important to Inuit culture? What types of sounds do they make with their voices?
- This is a great time to talk about appreciating culture, rather than appropriating them. Discuss that Indigenous practices such as music are sacred and should be appreciated. Talk about how throat singing is a difficult way to sing and this will increase the students' awareness and appreciation of this way of singing and the art form - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
- Transcription
Tanya Tagaq- The sounds of throat singing Musician: Tanya Tagaq
Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk Canadian throat singer, explains how to manipulate your voice to make the sounds of throat singing.
Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk Canadian throat singer, explains how to manipulate your voice to make the sounds of throat singing.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce different ways Indigenous Peoples express themselves in music
- This is a great time to talk about appreciating culture, rather than appropriating them. Discuss that Indigenous practices such as music are sacred and should be appreciated. Talk about how throat singing is a difficult way to sing and this will increase the students' awareness and appreciation of this way of singing and the art form
- Ask students how the pitches differ as she sings (high or low) - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
A Tribe Called Red Wins 2014 Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year Musicians: A Tribe Called Red
Video showcasing electronic group A Tribe Called Red, the first Indigenous group to win the Breakthrough Group of the Year award. The group speaks about their experience and what it meant to them.
Video showcasing electronic group A Tribe Called Red, the first Indigenous group to win the Breakthrough Group of the Year award. The group speaks about their experience and what it meant to them.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce different ways Indigenous Peoples express themselves in music. Also use to introduce a Tribe Called Red
- Have different YouTube videos of their music and ask students: How does their music make your body move? What sounds do you hear? What kind of feelings do you feel when you listen to their music? - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Visually impaired students may benefit from descriptions
- Additional accommodations may be needed for hard of hearing students
Buffy Sainte-Marie perform 'Fancy Dancer' Musician: Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie performs Fancy Dancer in this video as facts about her career are shown in text. She used the power of her distinct music, coined as "disco powow" for social activism.
Buffy Sainte-Marie performs Fancy Dancer in this video as facts about her career are shown in text. She used the power of her distinct music, coined as "disco powow" for social activism.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce Buffy Sainte-Marie as a phenomenal Indigenous artist
- Encourage children to dance to the song to see how the song makes them move and feel. After your dance party, discuss the following questions:
- What kind of instruments do they see?
- What types of sounds do they notice?
- What parts of the song did they really enjoy listening to or dancing to? - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
Inuit Games with Inukshuk Aksalnik Musician: Inukshuk Alsalnik
Video and webpage of Inukshuk Aksalnik explaining the origins of Inuit throat singing as a game. Two people would take turns speeding up and slowing down their voice and mimic sounds, until someone laughed.
Video and webpage of Inukshuk Aksalnik explaining the origins of Inuit throat singing as a game. Two people would take turns speeding up and slowing down their voice and mimic sounds, until someone laughed.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Harmony: the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce Indigenous throat singing
- Listening to how their voices can create different sounds of nature
- This is a great time to talk about appreciating culture, rather than appropriating them. Discuss that Indigenous practices such as music are sacred and should be appreciated. Talk about how throat singing is a difficult way to sing and this will increase the students' awareness and appreciation of this way of singing and the art form - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
Saving an Ancient Language Through Pop Music Musician: Renata Flores
Renata Flores is a 16-year-old singer from Peru who is using her voice to save an ancient language, Qechua, by covering popular pop songs.
Renata Flores is a 16-year-old singer from Peru who is using her voice to save an ancient language, Qechua, by covering popular pop songs.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Highlight how language is an important way to communicate
- Explore how Renata expresses herself using her language to create beautiful music - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
60 Years of Indigenous Music Game Changers
Interactive timeline from the 1960s to the 2010s on prominent Indigenous musicians in Canada and how they've changed history.
Interactive timeline from the 1960s to the 2010s on prominent Indigenous musicians in Canada and how they've changed history.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight Indigenous musicians who have made a lasting impact on American and Canadian music - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired
Insights into music through meaningful musical activities
Haitian with Emeline Musician: Emeline Michel
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Emeline introduces the rhythms of Haiti. Includes lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
Haitian with Emeline Musician: Emeline Michel
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Emeline introduces the rhythms of Haiti. Includes lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician and identify where Haiti is
- Go through Lesson 1 to teach students how to sing the chorus
- Use the creative variations to work with playing with the melody
- Explore the different rhythms and divide the class into two groups (under Explore the Underlying Rhythms in A.K.I.K.O)
- Go through Lesson 2 and earn "La Karidad" in chunks. Then, once the students feel comfortable with the songs, have the students learn the dance to the song
- Students can also explore the rhythm by using the drums - Accessibility:
- No captions
- Transcription
Jazz with Brianna Musician: Brianna Thomas
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Brianna explains scatting and musical elements of jazz. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Brianna explains scatting and musical elements of jazz. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5. Appreciate the artistry and required skill set to create quality music. Develop own skills set by exploring instruments/ developing an understanding the components of music
- Concepts: Form: arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Teach students the song and about the elements of jazz, look at form in "Blue Skies"
- Lesson 2: Teach students how to scat using the various tracks provided within the resource, explore how to scat - Accessibility:
- No captions
Indian Classical with Falu Musician: Falguni Shah
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Falu speaks of ornamentation use and scales in Indian singing. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Falu speaks of ornamentation use and scales in Indian singing. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Listen to Rabba, teach students to sing along to the ornamented melody, use "Discover Melodic Ornamentation in 'Rabba'"
- Explore improvisation with the students
- Lesson 2: Listen and learn the song, teach students the sargam scale
- Explore instruments with students as well
- Can use literary extension to connect cultural context - Accessibility:
- No captions
Kora with Yacouba Musician: Yacouba Sissoko
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Yacouba explains the Kora instrument and how it is used. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Yacouba explains the Kora instrument and how it is used. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5. Appreciate the artistry and required skill set to create quality music. Develop own skills set by exploring instruments/ developing an understanding the components of music
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Listen to recordings and teach students how to sing the song, discuss the meaning behind the lyrics, teach students the accompaniment
- Lesson 2: Listen to recordings and teach students how to sing the song, teach students the gestures and movements that accompany the song, look at how you can use instruments to improvise or move to the song - Accessibility:
- No captions
South African Zulu with Bongi and Tshidi Musicians: Bongi and Tshidi
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. These two artists explore the harmonies in traditional Zulu songs and the percussive aspects of the language. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. These two artists explore the harmonies in traditional Zulu songs and the percussive aspects of the language. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Harmony: the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musicians
- Lesson 1: Teach students what call and response is, teach them one of the songs, discuss the meaning of the lyrics
- Use the "Explore Form in 'Thula Mntwana/Nampaya Omame'" to combine and play with the form of the song
- Lesson 2: Listen to the song, sing the chorus melody and teach to students in chunks, teacher sings the harmony and students sing the main melody. Learn about the meaning of the lyrics - Accessibility:
- No captions
Argentine Folk with Sofia R. and Sofia T. Musicians: Sofia Rei and Sofia Tosello
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. These two artists explore Argentinian 6/8 rhythms with ktichen sounds! Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. These two artists explore Argentinian 6/8 rhythms with ktichen sounds! Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musicians
- Lesson 1: Learn the lyrics of the song, and understand the story behind the song
- "Explore the Rhythm" and "Everything but the Kitchen Sink Orchestra" extensions can also be used, specifically the one that is labelled appropriate for all ages
- Lesson 2: Learn the song, teach students about the layers of rhythm added to this song - Accessibility:
- No captions
Bomba and Plena with Juan and Julia Musicians: Juan and Julia Guiterrez
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. This family explains the instruments and rhythms used in these Afro-Puerto Rican song styles. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. This family explains the instruments and rhythms used in these Afro-Puerto Rican song styles. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5. Appreciate the artistry and required skill set to create quality music. Develop own skills set by exploring instruments/ developing an understanding the components of music
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Moving (clapping/ interpretative dance/ dance) - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musicians
- Lesson 1: Once students know the song, students can also learn the dance moves. Once they feel comfortable, they can form a dance circle to show what they've learned
- Explore the Lyrics in "Estoy Buscando un Arbol"
- Explore how the rhythm and dance intermingle with each other
- Lesson 2: Learn the song and accompany with body percussion, use different instruments to learn the rhythms of the song
- Compare Bomba and Plena instruments
- Explore how the rhythms are layered over one another - Accessibility:
- No captions
Brazilian with Fabiana Musician: Fabiana Masili
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Fabiana explains samba rhythms. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Fabiana explains samba rhythms. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Form: arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Moving (clapping/ interpretative dance/ dance) - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Learn the song and teach students the rhythm that accompanies the song, teach students the Pandeiro Rhythms
- Lesson 2: Once they know the song, you can teach the students how to Samba, students can also create their own dance to the song - Accessibility:
- No captions
Cumbia with Gregorio Musician: Gregorio Urib Big Band
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Gregorio explains the rhythms and instruments used in cumbia dance. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Gregorio explains the rhythms and instruments used in cumbia dance. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Learn the song and the rhythms. Students can perform at vocal cumbia once they are comfortable with the rhythm and song
- Lesson 2: Learn the song and read the book attached in the Literacy extension, students can create a dance for the song - Accessibility:
- No captions
Iraqi Folk with Layth Musician: Layth Sidiq
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Layth explains vocal ornamentation and the rhythms in Iraqi folk music. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Layth explains vocal ornamentation and the rhythms in Iraqi folk music. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Singing - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Teach students the song, discuss how the maqam's note progressions can evoke different emotions and the mood of a song
- Explore the rhythms of the song and play on various instruments
- Can use the creative extension to learn more about different instruments in Iraqi extension
- Lesson 2: Teach the song, discuss how the maqam brought out their emotions in this song
- Read the book attached in the Literacy extension
- Explore the rhythms in the song (under "Discover the Maqam and Iqa' for 'Foag el-Nakal'") - Accessibility:
- No captions
Hip Hop with Soul Science Lab Musician: Soul Science Lab
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. This duo explains the elements of hip hop for an elementary audience. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. This duo explains the elements of hip hop for an elementary audience. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5. Appreciate the artistry and required skill set to create quality music. Develop own skills set by exploring instruments/ developing an understanding the components of music
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Teach students the song and what the elements of hip hop are
- Lesson 2: Learn the song and discuss what its message means, can also use the "Explore MCing in 'Higher'" - Accessibility:
- No captions
Self-expression and creativity
Chinese Traditional with Qian Yi Musician: Qian Yi
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Qian Yi explains the pentatonic scale in Chinese traditional music, and goes through a simple new years song. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
Chinese Traditional with Qian Yi Musician: Qian Yi
From Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers series. Qian Yi explains the pentatonic scale in Chinese traditional music, and goes through a simple new years song. Includes 2 lesson plans with lyrics, notations, pictures, and videos. Also includes a teacher resource section to learn more.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Moving (clapping/ interpretative dance/ dance) - Suggested use:
- Would be a good lesson to use around Lunar New Year
- Introduce the musician
- Lesson 1: Teach students the song and then teach them the hand gestures. Sing as a whole class once comfortable
- Lesson 2: Learn the song and hand gestures
- Use the "Discover Rhythm in 'Gong Xi Gong Xi'" activity - Accessibility:
- No captions
Children’s early experiences shape what they imagine to be possible. Study after study has shown the value of exposing children with positive role models. Representation, including in the hours spent consuming media within the classroom, shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them. Therefore, we highly recommend you take 2-5 minutes everyday in your music class to introduce musicians of colour or cultural instruments from around the world. We've made this easy for you by creating a presentation that you can use with a slide a day to showcase a new musicians of diverse background. You could do this on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly or during a certain month. You could also make your own presentation and encourage this representation.
K-6 Musical Instruments by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Enjoyment of Music
T'rung and Klongput
This video demonstrates how to play two traditional Vietnamese instruments made out of bamboo: one by hitting them with mallets, and the other by clapping on the ends of the bamboo. Explanation can be found here and here.
T'rung and Klongput
This video demonstrates how to play two traditional Vietnamese instruments made out of bamboo: one by hitting them with mallets, and the other by clapping on the ends of the bamboo. Explanation can be found here and here.
- Curriculum connection:
- 1. Develop an appreciation for music/ share personal preferences
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can compare the sounds of the Klongput and T'rung to xylophones in the music room
- Listen to the sound and the melodies that are created when it is tapped - Accessibility:
- No captions needed
Awareness and appreciation of a variety of music - including music of the many cultures represented in Canada
First Nations Music in Canada
A PDF explaining some musical instruments of Canada. Can be accompanied by a written explanation of instruments in Canadian indigenous communities.
First Nations Music in Canada
A PDF explaining some musical instruments of Canada. Can be accompanied by a written explanation of instruments in Canadian indigenous communities.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- KWL chart to access prior knowledge about Indigenous music
- Popcorn read or divide reading into smaller groups
- Have students summarize and share the instruments and musicians they learned about with the class - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on student abilities
Guzheng
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Heran who introduces the Chinese stringed Guzheng. Includes a DIY Guzheng and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Heran who introduces the Chinese stringed Guzheng. Includes a DIY Guzheng and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- This episode can be used to introduce the Guzheng
- Discuss how the instrument is played and what sounds it makes
- Take a look at the young musician, Melody and how she uses the instrument to express herself - Accessibility:
- Captioned by creator
Tabla
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Razac who introduces the Indian percussive tabla. Includes a DIY tabla and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Razac who introduces the Indian percussive tabla. Includes a DIY tabla and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- This episode can be used to introduce the tabla
- Take a look at the young musician, Krish and how he practices his tabla. See how he expresses himself in his music
- Class discussion: What did the music feel like when they combined their rhythms? - Accessibility:
- Captioned by creator
Daf
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Kousha, who introduces the Persian daf, a flat drum. Includes a DIY daf and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
This video is a kid's show that follows Monica. She invites Kousha, who introduces the Persian daf, a flat drum. Includes a DIY daf and a performance and interview from a junior musician.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Creating (make your own) - Suggested use:
- This episode can be used to introduce Persian instruments
- Discuss what kinds of sounds each instrument makes
- Look at the young musician, Nika and how playing the Daf connects her with her culture
- Class discussion: When they combined the instruments, what kind of feel did the music have? - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
Goblet Drum (Darbuka or Doumbek)
This video is a solo performance from 10-year-old prodigy Sercan. This website includes a description of the goblet drum and its origins.
This video is a solo performance from 10-year-old prodigy Sercan. This website includes a description of the goblet drum and its origins.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Use the YouTube video to introduce the instrument and to observe the sound
- Use the article to read together as a class (popcorn style) - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal and hard of hearing
- Visually impaired students may benefit from descriptions of video
Mande Drumming
Includes videos and links on technical, cultural and contextual aspects of Mande drumming.
Includes videos and links on technical, cultural and contextual aspects of Mande drumming.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Use the videos and articles to introduce Mande drumming and discuss how it is different/similar to other kinds of drumming students are familiar with - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and visually impaired students
- Hard of hearing accommodations are activity dependent
Ooooh, the Oud
Lesson plan about the Oud, a string instrument, with videos attached.
Lesson plan about the Oud, a string instrument, with videos attached.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Use as a rhythm exercise for students to identify the beat of the song
- Can also use to encourage how different melodies of the Oud make us move - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing, nonverbal, and visually impaired students, some personal accommodations may be needed student and activity dependent
Samba Batucada
Includes videos. The resource has links to the history of the Samba Batucada and a scholarly article on how to organize a batucada jam session for elementary and secondary school classes.
Includes videos. The resource has links to the history of the Samba Batucada and a scholarly article on how to organize a batucada jam session for elementary and secondary school classes.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use the various videos to introduce different instruments involved in samba
- Create their own rhythms and beats using instruments seen in the video, ones they create themselves, or clap their own samba rhythms - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and visually impaired students
- Hard of hearing accommodations are activity dependent
Mariachi
Includes videos and information on the historical context of the Mariachi ensemble.
Includes videos and information on the historical context of the Mariachi ensemble.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use the various videos to introduce the instruments and history of Mariachi - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and visually impaired students
- Hard of hearing accommodations are activity dependent
Gamelan
Includes links to videos on Balinese Gamelan performances. This resource also includes a link to a paper focusing on the development of an elementary school gamelan program.
Includes links to videos on Balinese Gamelan performances. This resource also includes a link to a paper focusing on the development of an elementary school gamelan program.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use the various videos to introduce the instruments and performances of Balinese Gamelan - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, and visually impaired students
- Hard of hearing accommodations are activity dependent
Around the World Music Distance Learning Activities
Teachers Pay Teachers activity unit that includes handouts with pictures and short descriptions of instruments, homework sheets on how children can research more at home, links to videos, etc. Includes: Africa, Japan, India, Brazil. Note: This resource is $6.
Teachers Pay Teachers activity unit that includes handouts with pictures and short descriptions of instruments, homework sheets on how children can research more at home, links to videos, etc. Includes: Africa, Japan, India, Brazil. Note: This resource is $6.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to highlight a different country each week. Introduce students to different instruments from each country and provide a clip of what the instrument sounds like when it is played
- Divide students into groups, and create an inquiry project around how people create music around the world - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Pipa
The video explains how the pipa, a stringed instrument, was invented in Central Asia and was then passed to China through the Silk Road. A Chinese performer meets with two performers from Tajikstan to combine the sound of their cultures.
The video explains how the pipa, a stringed instrument, was invented in Central Asia and was then passed to China through the Silk Road. A Chinese performer meets with two performers from Tajikstan to combine the sound of their cultures.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use this to contrast the sound of the pipa to the different stringed instruments in the video
- Discuss how the instruments came together to form a melody
- Use to compare the sounds and structure of different stringed instruments they already know - Accessibility:
- No captions; additional accommodations needed for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Tanboor, Santoor, Tar, Setar, Dotar, Barbat, Kamanche, Tonbak, Dap, Ney (Persian Flute)
The video showcases various Persian stringed instruments, percussion, and a Persian flute. Explains their history through text and a musical excerpt.
The video showcases various Persian stringed instruments, percussion, and a Persian flute. Explains their history through text and a musical excerpt.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Students can learn how to identify the sounds of the different Persian instruments. What kind of sounds does each instrument make? Is it high or low? Is it soft or hard?
- Compare the structure of the different instruments to stringed instruments they already know
- Create a concept map of the different instruments
- Students can also complete a listening activity where they can compare the sounds of two of the stringed instruments from this region - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal
- Additional accommodations needed for visually impaired students as video contains no dialogue
Stringed Instruments of the Middle East
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can use this page to explore different stringed instruments
- Students can create a stringed instrument profile poster of one or two of the instruments
- Take one of the instruments and compare it to stringed instruments they know, such as a guitar, a ukelele, a violin, a bass, or a cello and present them to the class
- Compare the sounds and the structure of each instrument
- Use the videos to show what the instrument sounds like - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Stringed Instruments of Central Asia
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Use this page to complete a research project on different stringed instruments
- Students can pick a stringed instrument and create a poster comparing it to a stringed instrument they already know
- Students can compare, the sound, the structure and the origins of each instrument
- The videos can be used to show what the instrument sounds like - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Stringed Instruments of India
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can do an exploration of the different instruments from India
- Assign groups two different instruments to explore and have them write their findings on a chart paper to share with the class
- Students can compare the sound and structure of each instrument, as well as the origins of the instrument - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Stringed Instruments of South East Asia
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can use this page to explore different stringed instruments
- Create a stringed instrument profile poster of one or two of the instruments
- Take one of the instruments and compare it to stringed instruments they know, such as a guitar, a ukelele, a violin, a bass, or a cello. and present them to the class
- Compare the sound and the structure of each instrument. They can also use the videos to show what the instrument sounds like
- Students can also complete a listening activity where they can compare the sounds of two of the stringed instruments from this region - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Stringed Instruments of Far East Asia
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can do an exploration of the different instruments from Far East Asia
- Assign groups two different instruments to explore and have them write their findings on a chart paper to share with the class
- Compare the sound and structure of each instrument, as well as the origins of the instrument
- Students can also complete a listening activity where they can compare the sounds of two of the stringed instruments from this region - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Stringed Instruments in South America
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
Webpage with short descriptions of each instrument, their country of origin, and includes pictures and video examples.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Students can do an exploration of the different instruments from South America
- Assign groups two different instruments to explore and have them write their findings on a chart paper to share with the class
- Compare the sound and structure of each instrument, as well as the origins of the instrument
- Students can also complete a listening activity where they can compare the sounds of two of the stringed instruments from this region - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired; additional accommodations may be required dependent on activity
Simsimiyya - Egyptian Pharaonic Harp
An Egyptian musical group highlights the simsimiyya's history and how they use it in their music.
An Egyptian musical group highlights the simsimiyya's history and how they use it in their music.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to distinguish the sound and how he plays the harp
- Good way to talk about how music can help people express themselves
- Discuss the origins of the simsimiyya - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Koto
Webpage with brief description, history, and video of the koto, the Japanese harp.
Webpage with brief description, history, and video of the koto, the Japanese harp.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Use the visuals to introduce the koto
- Video attached to show what it sounds like
- Article can be read as a class - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal, hard of hearing, and visually impaired
Shakuhachi
Video on the shakuhachi, a Japanese Zen flute.
Video on the shakuhachi, a Japanese Zen flute.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Form: arrangement and style in literary or musical composition
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce the shakuhachi flute
- Compare to wind instruments they know of
- Explore what kind of sounds it makes - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Sitar
Video of a quick sitar animation. Can be used with a webpage with a description of the sitar and a music video explaining the origins and description of the sitar.
Video of a quick sitar animation. Can be used with a webpage with a description of the sitar and a music video explaining the origins and description of the sitar.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Use to introduce what the sitar is and its history
- Use to show how the sitar is structured and a sound clip of how it sounds
- Class discussion: What types of sounds does it make? What does the sitar remind them of?
- Show how the sitar works and its structure - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
The Wide World of Music: A Guide to 100 Instruments
Webpage with visuals and buttons to different musical instrument excerpts.
Webpage with visuals and buttons to different musical instrument excerpts.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Musical instrument feature each week to explore different instruments from other countries
- Pair with an activity to find which instrument belongs to what country - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal
- Additional accommodations for hard of hearing and visually impaired students needed
Berimbau
A 5-minute video about the Berimbau, a Brazilian instrument that often accompanies the martial art Capoeira.
A 5-minute video about the Berimbau, a Brazilian instrument that often accompanies the martial art Capoeira.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Introduce what the berimbau is
- Discuss the sound it makes and how it is different from other stringed instruments
- Class discussion: How is the berimbau used? - Accessibility:
- Auto-generated captions
Self-expression and Creativity
Dan Bau: A World of Music on One String
Jason Nguyen explains this Vietnamese one-stringed instrument, how to play the instrument in order to create different pitches. He explains his own cultural memories with the instrument.
Jason Nguyen explains this Vietnamese one-stringed instrument, how to play the instrument in order to create different pitches. He explains his own cultural memories with the instrument.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Introduce how musicians are taking different instruments, putting their own modern twist to it, and how modern music is evolving
- Introduce a different stringed instrument. Point out what are some characteristics they notice. What kinds of sounds does it make when it is played?
- Create a Venn diagram of one stringed instrument they know (the harp, the guitar, cello, violin) and compare it with the đàn bầu - Accessibility:
- Accessible for hard of hearing and nonverbal with available captions
- Additional accommodations for visually impaired students needed
Insights into music through meaningful musical activities
Exploring the Drone
Lesson plan for students between Grades 3-6, in collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board. Students will learn about the drone, a form of instrumental accompaniment played on the tanpura.
Exploring the Drone
Lesson plan for students between Grades 3-6, in collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board. Students will learn about the drone, a form of instrumental accompaniment played on the tanpura.
- Curriculum connection:
- 2. Explore a variety of music - specifically looking at the diverse cultural Music that exists in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Lesson plan attached - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Comparing Indian Classical Music to Western Classical Music
Lesson plan made in collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board. Students will be able to compare North Indian classical tradition to Western European tradition.
Lesson plan made in collaboration with the Edmonton Public School Board. Students will be able to compare North Indian classical tradition to Western European tradition.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Lesson plan attached - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Self-expression and creativity
Message Drums
This lesson plan includes an explanation and discussion of message drums, and an activity demonstrating how they are used.
Message Drums
This lesson plan includes an explanation and discussion of message drums, and an activity demonstrating how they are used.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Complete the introduction activity, teaching students where message drums originate from
- Figure out 2 messages that might be useful to send
- Create a drum code together with the students and teach it to them on the drums - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Talking Drums
Adaptable lesson plan for K-12 to teach student about tonal language, talking drum, message drum, their relationships to one another and how to change the pitch of a drum.
Adaptable lesson plan for K-12 to teach student about tonal language, talking drum, message drum, their relationships to one another and how to change the pitch of a drum.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Complete the introduction activity to show where talking drums originate from
- Use the different activities in this lesson to explore the sounds of talking drums
- Students can also complete the talking kazoos activity - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Didjeridu Activities
This is a lesson plan for a set of simple classroom activities, suitable for a wide range of student ages and abilities, to introduce them to the didjeridu, a traditional Aboriginal Australian instrument.
This is a lesson plan for a set of simple classroom activities, suitable for a wide range of student ages and abilities, to introduce them to the didjeridu, a traditional Aboriginal Australian instrument.
- Curriculum connection:
- 4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Listening - Suggested use:
- Activity plans on website - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
Caribbean Music: Calypso and Found Percussion
Module and lesson plans for K-12. Students are to learn about Calypso. There are also suggestions for finding recordings to listen to.
Module and lesson plans for K-12. Students are to learn about Calypso. There are also suggestions for finding recordings to listen to.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5.4. Appreciate and explore the ways that musicians express themselves through their art/ create their own music as a form of self-expression
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Identify the sounds of the steel pan drum
- Explore how different objects have different percussion pitches and sounds. Use their objects or drums to learn different rhythms
- Listening activities with calypso music. Explore sounds they hear, instruments they hear, what the feel of the music is like
- Students can explore the calypso rhythms - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
An Introduction to Sega: The Music and Dance of Mauritius
Includes lesson plans on how to introduce sega into the classroom, along with a dance and singing activity. Adaptable for K-12.
Includes lesson plans on how to introduce sega into the classroom, along with a dance and singing activity. Adaptable for K-12.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Expression: the conveying of feeling in the face or voice/ in a work of art/ or in the performance of a piece of music
- Skills: Moving (clapping/ interpretative dance/ dance) - Suggested use:
- Use activity to help students identify the rhythm, and the melody
- Have students learn about the origins of sega music
- Teach students the elements of sega
- Students can do the dance activity or singing activity - Accessibility:
- Accommodations will be need to be made for all visually impaired, nonverbal, and hard of hearing students
Musical skills and knowledge
Kotekan: A Cooperative Music Activity
Lesson plan adaptable for K-12 teaching students kotekan, the basic gamelan technique of interlocking percussion parts. Includes examples, a lesson plan, and break-down of activity. Example of Kotekan video.
Kotekan: A Cooperative Music Activity
Lesson plan adaptable for K-12 teaching students kotekan, the basic gamelan technique of interlocking percussion parts. Includes examples, a lesson plan, and break-down of activity. Example of Kotekan video.
- Curriculum connection:
- 5. Appreciate the artistry and required skill set to create quality music. Develop own skills set by exploring instruments/ developing an understanding the components of music
- Concepts: Rhythm: strong/ regular/ repeated pattern of movement or sound
- Skills: Reading (and writing) - Suggested use:
- Introduce video to share the sound the kotekan makes
- Split class in half and pair students up. Pick the simplest rhythm in the lesson, start by learning with hands first. Teach the simple rhythm to one group and count out loud with them teach the other group an offbeat on certain counts by pointing at them on the beat they play. Practice a few times, then have them pick a percussion instrument to tap their rhythm out - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students
A Pentatonic Scale Activity
Lesson plan and activity for teaching the pentatonic scale, a scale often used in East Asian music, to students. Can be adapted for students from Grade 4-12.
Lesson plan and activity for teaching the pentatonic scale, a scale often used in East Asian music, to students. Can be adapted for students from Grade 4-12.
- Curriculum connection:
- 3. Explore the way music is connected to traditions/ celebrations and life events of the many cultures represented in Canada
- Concepts: Melody: a sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying
- Skills: Playing instruments - Suggested use:
- Lesson plan is attached with extensions - Accessibility:
- Accessible for nonverbal students
- Additional accommodations required for hard of hearing and visually impaired students