Title: “Bouncing Ball” a Japanese Steady Beat Activity
for Kdgr
Abstract:
Using the “Concert Video” from the East Asian Workshop as a
reference point, use the music, “The Bouncing Ball” to work on “beat
competency” with the kindergarteners through movement, body percussion, and
simple percussion instruments. A
secondary goal will be to introduce the “sights and sounds” of
Description:
This lesson will take place in the music room with each kindergarten class (24-28 students). They will “find the beat” through listening and movement; later transfer these beats to simple percussion instruments. They could bounce balls to the music, pass the ball on the beat, or pretend to “be” bouncing balls. Because of the variety of “ways” to experience this concept, the lesson is accessible to students of varying abilities.
Curriculum:
Perceiving steady beat and becoming steady beat competent is an essential part of the Kdgr curriculum (and continues/refines into the upper primary classes). This is a music/physical education (movement)/social studies integrated lesson. Technology usage is simple: use of the video/VCR/TV as well as the cd/tape recorder.
Expected Student Outcomes:
After listening to the music, I expect that these students will perceive the pulse and demonstrate that they “feel the beat” through some type of body percussion, movement, and instrumental playing.
Standards:
2. Performing on instruments with others
6. Listening to and describing music
Lesson Activities & Time Frame:
This is an activity that will be introduced during one class period (5-7’), experienced during a second session (10’) and culminated/assessed during a third session.
Session 1:
* Play the video clip of Anne Prescott performing “Bouncing Ball” on the koto
* Ask students to describe what they saw and heard on this video clip // discuss
* Listen to the taped version of this song asking the students to “listen for the beat” of the music
* Using body percussion (patting, clapping, snapping, etc.), keep the beat while the music is again played
Session 2:
* Using the above music, ask the students to again show their beat competency using body percussion
* Point out various ways that students “keep the beat” (exploration of movement possibilities)
* Ask students to move to the beat using their entire bodies (through bouncing, walking, swaying, etc.)
* Use one of the student movements as a model for all the students to experience … try several, if time and interest allows
Session 3:
* Using a scanned picture of a koto (duplicated many times and glued onto magnetic strips), plot out the micro beats “Bouncing Ball” on our white board
* Ask the students, while listening again to the music, clap, pat, snap the beats while pointing to the “koto beats” on the board
* Transfer the body percussion beat performances to rhythm sticks and/or small percussion instruments (bells, finger cymbals, small hand drums, etc.)
* Final Activity: Divide the class into those who move and those who play instruments and with “Bouncing Ball” playing in the background. Any combination of music/movement and/or music/instruments will work
* Pick the best “final version” and video tape
Assessment:
This activity will be assessed visually by the teacher and documented on the Kdgr. Musical Skills assessment sheet. The scoring is as follows: 3 = displays accurate and consistent understanding of the concept through performance, 2 = needs additional activities to improve skills and understanding, 1 = does not understand the concept, need to be re-taught.
References:
Video: Concert from East Asian Conference,
Tape: “Bouncing Ball” performed by Anne Prescott on
the Japanese Koto (taped from above video)