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March 01
Music in Our Schools Month is in March.
Grades | 3 – 12 |
Calendar Activity Type | Holiday & School Celebration |
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Since 1985, March has been filled with sound as music in our schools is celebrated around the nation. Sponsored by the National Association for Music Education, the event focuses the nation's attention on the need for and benefits of quality music education programs. Schools and community groups celebrate with creative activities and events, based on a designated theme. This year's theme is "Music Inspires"
American film and theater have many examples of musical works that have been adapted from a novel or other non-musical version. Explore the effects of music on a story by examining one example with your class.
- First, brainstorm a list of such works, which could include examples such as A Christmas Carol, Les Misérables, and numerous Disney films.
- Next, after reading a story, novel, or play (or viewing a non-musical version on film), have students view the musical version.
- Then, have students discuss the differences they observed between the two versions of the story. Were the characters, setting, and main events the same? In the musical version, what role did song lyrics play in telling the story? Do both versions seem equally dramatic (or funny, or sad, etc.)? Which version do students prefer? Why?
- Finally, have students select a text that you've read in class. They should imagine that they are a songwriter working on a musical adaptation of the story. They can work alone or in groups to write lyrics to one song. They can use the tune to a song they know or compose their own music. Students should be able to explain how this song would help tell the story and which character or characters sing the song. Students can perform their songs for the class or use the interactive CD/DVD Cover Creator to design a cover for the soundtrack. More tips are available for use with this tool.
- Music in Our Schools Month
This site, from NAfME, offers information about the history of Music in Our Schools Month, as well as suggested activities, and advocacy information.
- ARTSEDGE
The Kennedy Center's ARTSEDGE provides tools to develop interdisciplinary curricula that integrate the arts with other subjects. Their site offers free standards-based lessons and other student and professional development materials, including Perfect Pitch, an exploration of the orchestra.
- ArtsAlive: Music
This site from the National Arts Centre offers media-rich resources for kids and their teachers and parents related to music and orchestra, including an instrument lab and music library.
Grades K – 2 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
Using Songwriting to Build Awareness of Beginning Letter Sounds
"Bessie bird lives in a barn" in this lesson in which students create alliterative animal songs to help them learn letter names and consonant sounds and build phonemic awareness.
Grades 3 – 5 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
The Connection Between Poetry and Music
Students won't miss a beat in this reading fluency lesson that combines music and poetry.
Grades 6 – 8 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
On a Musical Note: Exploring Reading Strategies by Creating a Soundtrack
Students create a soundtrack for a novel that they have read, as they engage in such traditional reading strategies as predicting, visualizing, and questioning.
Grades 5 – 10 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
Songs of Our Lives: Using Lyrics to Write Stories
Students learn about the life and music of John Lennon, write a short story from their lives integrating lyrics from some of their favorite songs, and create a class book of stories.
Grades 2 – 3 | Lesson Plan | Unit
Jazz Up Writing Workshop: Writing Biographies of African American Jazz Musicians
During writing workshop, students research, write, revise, and share their own comprehensive biographies of African American jazz musicians.