Submitted by Gretchen Taylor, Illinois

Idea posted October 23, 2002

Here's how my planning page is designed, which I follow fairly well unless we're doing something special...

Opening/Refresh: Here they enter & get seated. I take an "at a glance" roll, then lead them in some echo solfège patterns with signs to get their attention and warm up. Then I lead them into a song they've learned fairly recently and they picked up quickly. Often this is a song that doesn't require them to use a songbook, but a rote one. And it almost always involves mvmt.

Prepare: Whether a song, rhythm activity, instrument activity, etc., this is where I prepare for a concept. For ex., last week, I was preparing to use instruments from the 4 unpitched instr. groups in a "round" fashion. So I introduced a vocal round song. After repeating it in several different ways, I had them put the words in their hands (clap the rhythm). Then we used various levels of body percussion to realize the rhythm. That's all. My goal was that at the next session, we'd break up into 2 groups and stand at opposite walls. Sing through the song together, then speak it in round fashion, then clap it. Then divide into 4 groups at 4 walls, speak it first, then transfer the words to instruments. Then finally sing it in round fashion. So, my prep section is like a first step leading them to something more involved later.

Present: This is where I actually present them with a specific concept visually by symbol (rhythm notes, solfège pitches, form maps, composer pictures, instrument pictures, etc.) along with verbal definitions. I do this through many varied activities. Perhaps a new song, a SQUILT activity, rhythm exercises, a short writing activity, or a game.

Practice: Here we'll do a song we know very well, adding sign language, movement, instruments, whatever, to truly practice it. I usually save their favorites for this last and coveted time of the session.

Closing: I quickly tie up any loose ends, give any reminders, return any materials as needed, and then we all close the class with a concert bow, and exit.

That's it. I follow this format with all K-8 classes pretty well. I just modify it for the various ages.