Title:

“An Introduction to the Music of Japan”

 

Abstract:

The goal of these lessons will be to introduce the Third Grade students to the Music of Japan.  Students will learn to sing a song in Japanese, as well as sing and play a Japanese Children’s Hand Game.  They will also be challenged to count to ten in Japanese and they will write a haiku (by groups of 4), which will be read and performed with unpitched instruments (students’ compositions).

 

Description:

This lesson plan will be designed for use in the Music classroom only—it will not be performed outside of my room, though students will be encouraged to share their new knowledge with family and friends.

 

Time Frame:

Each class meets for 1 - 35 minute period per week, so this lesson will be taught in a

3-week unit.

 

Curriculum Goals:

The Curriculum goals are met by means of…

Integration of Social Studies, Reading, Writing, Math and Language Arts.

 

Expected Student Outcomes:

Students will know how to sing a song in the Japanese language; they will be able to write a haiku with composed unpitched accompaniment, and play a Japanese hand game.

 

Standards:

The National Standards addressed by this unit will include:

1)      Singing alone and with others

2)      Performing on instruments alone and with others

4)   Composing and arranging music (Unpitched Instruments) with specific guidelines

5)      Reading and notating music

6)      Listening to, analyzing and describing music

7)      Evaluating music and music performances

8)      Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

9)      Understanding music in relation to history and culture

 

 

Lesson Activities:

 

Lesson One:  (35 minutes)

Materials – “Share the Music” Grade 2 book, pp. 64 & 65; Teacher’s Music Rubric and Achievement Record; Student’s Journal Entry sheet; Pencils

 

Introduce a Hand Game from Japan to play with a friend.  (Rock, Paper, Scissors game) Practice game with the entire class

Allow students to listen to the recording of “Se, Se, Se”

Teach the Japanese words and music by having students echo the teacher

Have students find a partner and practice the game

Students sing the song along with the recording and play the game simultaneously

Teacher fills out Music Rubric and Achievement Record

Last 5 minutes of class, have students write a journal entry about the day’s activity

 

Lesson Two:  (35 minutes)

Materials – “Share the Music” Grade 2, pp.64&65; Grade 3, p.345; Japanese Alphabet and Japanese Numbers (Handouts); Teacher’s Music Rubric and Achievement Record; Student’s Self-Assessment form; Pencils

 

Review  Hand Game and song “Se, Se, Se” from previous lesson

Give handouts of Japanese Alphabet and Numbers

Review vowel sounds and practice counting to ten

Introduce new song, “Sakura”

Listen to the recording of Sakura

Teach the Japanese words and music by having students echo the teacher

Have the class stand and sing Sakura

Teacher fills out Music Rubric and Achievement Record

(If extra time) review Japanese numbers 1 to 10 with students (rap style or rhythmically)

Last 5 minutes of class have the students write a Student Self-Assessment

 

Lesson Three: (35 minutes)

Materials - “Share the Music” Grade 3, p.345; Japanese Numbers (Handout); Teacher’s Music Rubric and Achievement Record; Unpitched Instruments; Paper and Pencils

 

Review counting to ten in Japanese

Review the song, “Sakura”

Introduce “haiku” – Japanese poetry (only 3 lines – 1st line, 5 syllables; 2nd line,

7 syllables; 3rd line, 5 syllables- include nature subjects and be descriptive)

Let students know they are to choose unpitched instruments to accompany their haiku-

(Give Examples:  the flowing breeze–use the wind chime; shimmering rain-use rain stick)

Have students write their own haiku (in their learning club groups of 4)

Each group will perform their composition in front of the class and turn in poems

Teacher fills out Music Rubric and Achievement Record

 

Assessment Plan:

In order to determine what students have learned, I will utilize my Music Rubric and Achievement Record and student self-assessment and journal entry charts; I will observe students performing their haiku with composed unpitched accompaniment before the class (these will be passed in to me); and I will observe students playing the Japanese Hand Game.

 

References:

“Share The Music” – McGraw-Hill, Grade 2, pages 64& 65; Gr. 3, page 345;

Japanese Musical Instruments by Hugh De Ferranti