Mood:
specialMy two classes of Prep. book kids are now up to the "Chocolate Chip Cookie" song (my personal favourite!). They played it SO very well!! Here's a little lesson plan that I did with the kids:
- During the activity section of class, we moved to Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Also during that time, when we were echoing duple meter rhythm patterns, I made sure to use the patterns that are in the piece.
- During the keyboard geography time, I taught them these two patterns: Db-Eb-Db-Bb and Db-Eb-Db-Gb (basically the two patterns that are used in the song.
- Also during keyboard geography time, I had them play "Du-de Du" on individual black keys, using their left hand.
- (I didn't do this, because we had something else to do during creativity time) During creativity time, I had them create their own melodies using the "Du De Du" RP and black keys.
- When it was time to learn the piece, I played the piece, and they moved to macrobeats
- Then, we echoed the RP again
- I played the first three measures and the students chanted the RP of the first measure. I explained how this pattern happens twice in the song.
- I play the first 4 measures while the students watched. Then, the students took turns playing that part.
- I played the second 4 measures while the students watched, then they played.
- I played the whole song and then the students had a turn to play the whole song.
By the time I got to step 11, they were itching to play the piece without any help!! They all played it perfectly, while chanting the RP, the first time. I should also note that they heard the piece for the first time last week, and it was part of their home listening assignment (listen to the piece on the CD) for this past week.
This is basically the process I use for teaching all the pieces right now. It's working really well, because the kids are getting it. By the time we get to the last step, they'll often say, "I don't need you to show me, I know what to do!!"
