Home
Mission
Blog
Professional Development
Launchpad
Plans
Community
Help
Broadway Composers - Leonard Bernstein WebQuest & Presentation Project
By Innovations in Technology
In this lesson, students learn interesting facts about the modern Broadway composer, Leonard Bernstein and his work, as they complete several projects including a WebQuest (Internet Scavenger Hunt) to answer questions about the topic. A complete answer key is provided for the WebQuest for easy grading, along with resources for both teachers and students. The student questions are included in both a print version and a digital (editable) version to make it easy for students to complete the lesson digitally or on paper. Then, students research their choice of one of his famous musicals and create a presentation or a video about it using their choice of Web 2.0 tools such as Adobe Creative Express (formerly Adobe Spark), eMaze, Canva, etc. (all are free, no download needed) or by using Microsoft Office or Google Apps. A full list of software/technology options is listed in the student lesson instructions and includes links to tutorials. For classrooms with limited technology, this lesson can be completed with students working in pairs or small groups. The completed presentations can be shared with the rest of the class if the teacher chooses.
This lesson is intended to be an introduction to the topic and was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in high school as well. This lesson could be used in a music, drama, history or technology class and is also a great lesson to leave for a substitute teacher!
Files included:
· Teacher & Student Resources
· Learning about Leonard Bernstein WebQuest Activity (print and
editable digital files included)
· Learning about Leonard Bernstein WebQuest Answer Key
· Musical Compositions of Leonard Bernstein Project Expectations with Rubric
Approximate Lesson Duration:
· WebQuest - 1 (50 minute) class period
· Presentation / Video Project (including research) – 2-4 (50 minute) class periods
· Optional: additional time for students to present their project to the class (time will vary depending on class size).
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
**************************************************************************
Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:
Follow our blog
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Pinterest
Star Wars "Duel of the Fates" TRAP Remix - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with STAR WARS and it's sure to get your kids singing and bouncing right along -- it's "Duel of the Fates" Trap Remix!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a Death Star icon. Each Death Star is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the Death Star icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
Death Star icons that are in pairs are played as paired eighth notes
The track can be found here to play right along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDlr566eYcg
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Broadway Composers - Cole Porter - WebQuest & Presentation | Distance Learning
By Innovations in Technology
In this lesson, students learn interesting facts about the modern Broadway composer, Cole Porter and his work, as they complete several projects including a WebQuest (Internet Scavenger Hunt) to answer questions about the topic. A complete answer key is provided for the WebQuest for easy grading, along with resources for both teachers and students. The student questions are included in both a print version and a digital (editable) version to make it easy for students to complete the lesson digitally or on paper. Then, students research their choice of one of his famous musicals and create a presentation or a video about it using their choice of Web 2.0 tools such as Prezi, Adobe Spark, eMaze, Canva, etc. (free, no download needed) or by using Microsoft Office or Google Apps. A full list of software/technology options is listed in the student lesson instructions and includes links to tutorials. For classrooms with limited technology, this lesson can be completed with students working in pairs or small groups. The completed presentations can be shared with the rest of the class if the teacher chooses.
This lesson is intended to be an introduction to the topic and was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in high school as well. This lesson could be used in a music, drama, history or technology class and is also a great lesson to leave for a substitute teacher!
This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.
Materials Required:
Files included:
Approximate Lesson Duration:
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
**************************************************************************
Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:
Follow our blog
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Pinterest
Visit our Website
The Nutrocker (Tchaikovsky/TSO) - ADVANCED BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
By popular request, here's an arrangement of the holiday hit that'll sure to get your bucket drumming kids fired up, The Nutrocker, based on theme from Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra!
There are five all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 1, 2, or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
The mp3 is included in this resource, so feel free to play right along!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Classical Music in Modern Day Life - Puzzle & Presentation Project
By Innovations in Technology
In this lesson, students learn fun facts about the use of classical music in modern day life such as movies, television, and video games as they research different uses of classical music in modern day life. No download is required to use Canva (www.canva.com) - a free product, making it easy for teachers who are not able to download software on classroom computers to still give their students a choice in learning. Options for using Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides are also included for use if the teacher prefers.
In these lessons, students are provided with a quick tutorial for Canva, as well as links to other resources to help them with their designs. The tutorial is intended to help students get started with the program and then use the resources within the program to refine their creations. Links are included to tutorials for Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides. Students create a presentation with examples of classical music used in their own lives after researching the topic. They use that information along with graphics, pictures and backgrounds from the Internet and also supplied in Canva, to create a finished presentation that explains their topic, and add their own opinions and insights to the project. A word search puzzle is also included (with answer key) for early finishers or as a part of the lesson.
This lesson was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in upper elementary or high school classes as well. Great to leave for a sub or to use for distance learning too.
Materials Required:
· Computers with Internet access for each student (or pair of students)
· Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides
Files included:
· Teacher & Student Resources
· Research and Presentation Project Expectations and Grading Rubric
· Quick Start Tutorial for Canva
· Word Search Puzzle and Answer Key
Approximate Lesson Duration:
· Introduction to the Lesson - 1 (50 minute) class period
· Research and Presentation Project Creation – 1.5 – 2 (50 minute) class periods
· Word Search Puzzle - .5 (50 minute) class period
· Presentation sharing with class – time will depend on the size of the class
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
**************************************************************************
Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:
Follow our blog
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Pinterest
First Snow (Trans Siberian Orch) - ADVANCED BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
By popular request, here's an advanced arrangement of the holiday hit that'll sure to get your bucket drumming kids fired up, First Snow, by the Trans Siberian Orchestra!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 3 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
This version differs from the standard version with the implementation of sixteenth note patterns (which is great to work on with your kids for alternating hands!)
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0DngW4WOGY
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? ***
**
Find them here!**
20th Century Songwriters - Technology Presentation Project | Distance Learning
By Innovations in Technology
In this lesson, students learn about famous songwriters from the 20th century and their work. Students choose a songwriter of interest (on their own or from a provided list) and then research specific information about them, creating a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides or using a Web 2.0 tool. Teacher and student resources are provided for the lesson, along with full instructions and project expectation, including a grading rubric. A list of famous songwriters is included separately for student choice (or students can choose a songwriter of interest on their own). Two versions of the lesson are included to let teachers decide if they prefer to have students use the more traditional presentation tools of Microsoft Office or Google Slides or, if they prefer to give students a choice of those and various free Web 2.0 tools such as Prezi, eMaze, or Canva. Links for tutorials are provided for all suggested software choices in the student resources.
Perfect for business, music, history, social studies or career exploration classes. This lesson was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in any secondary classroom.
This lesson is great for distance learning/remote learning. You can upload it to your school's learning management system (Google Classroom, Edmodo, Canvas, etc.) or share with students via Google Drive.
Materials Required:
Files included:
Approximate Lesson Duration:
Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!
**************************************************************************
Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:
Follow our blog
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Pinterest
Visit our Website
By Jason Litt
The follow-up to "Rhythm Wind Up and PITCH! and MELODY Wind Up and PITCH!"
______________________________________
This one will get the kids on their edge of their seats!
You will need 1 thing for this particular game:
The students will see an instrument at the bottom of their screen and memorize the timbre of the instrument (should know beforehand what it is and how it sounds!) They will then hear a musical example of an endless loop of orchestral and band instruments playing in all different ranges from low to high (Teacher will click the speaker icon to play)
Take a listen...
....
....
One of the instruments will be the instrument that is on the screen. AS SOON AS THEY HEAR THAT INSTRUMENT, they throw their suction cup ball at the target. The first kid who gets it correct is the winner (and make sure you advance the slide to make the target turn green) :)
Obviously, we cannot play this as a class because of
The amount of suction cup balls tossed at the screen would be insane
Team A v Team B would be a bit more competitive and only two balls would be launched at once
If you don't have a whiteboard/projection screen, you can alternatively have the students raise their hand when they hear it and choose the kid who has their hand up the fastest.
Have a great time with this fast paced game!
KING CAT - an ADVANCED Tubano drumming composition!
By Jason Litt
In "KING CAT", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands, especially with trickier syncopations and advanced rhythms such as sequential triplets and sixteenth notes!
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
I 2 I, Powerline from "A Goofy Movie" - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with the hit song from the 1995 smash film "A Goofy Movie" with I 2 I from Powerline!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4, 6, or 8 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://youtu.be/-qzWOhUURzo?si=quREsFN87FIonlmh
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
The Whopper Song (from Burger King) - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music (which has turned into a great video meme)? Involved them with BUCKET DRUMMING! in the video turned meme "The Whopper Song"!
There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4, 6, or 8 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b35HEjVX9Wg
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Rockin around the Christmas Tree REMIX - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you Brenda Lee's hit Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree re-imagined as a HIP HOP TRAP MIX for BUCKET DRUMMING!
There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are grouped 2 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
The mp3 track is included in this one, so no need to YouTube it. Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
To the Skies! Percussion composition! (Tubano/Tambourine)
By Jason Litt
In "To the Skies!", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos (along with tambourines), learn the music by rote by aking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands and adding different timbres in with the tambourine
Included is the key for tubano and tambourine notation
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
Theme from "Hocus Pocus" - HALLOWEEN BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
A fall classic just in time for the spooky bucket drums to come out is the smash introductory song from Disney's hit movie of the same name, we present to you the theme from "Hocus Pocus"!
There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
This is a terrific fortifier for triplets -- Keep it steady and keep it spooky!
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TRAP Remix - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Wanna get these kids engaged and smiling ear to ear? Get a TRAP REMIX going full of trap music, backbeats, and trance themes with the theme from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Bucket Drumming!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
Teenage Mutant Night Turtles TRAP Remix
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Christmas (Baby, please come home), Michael Buble - CHRISTMAS BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you the Michael Buble's smash hit, "Christmas (Baby, please come home)" for BUCKET DRUMMING!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats. Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
NOTE: Remember, all paired eighth notes are swung and there are also a few triplet patterns in here as well to get those alternating hands going!
Here's the track so you can play along...
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Minecraft Theme TRAP Remix - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Wanna get these kids engaged and smiling ear to ear? Get a TRAP REMIX going full of trap music, backbeats, and trance themes with the theme from Minecraft for Bucket Drumming!
There are two all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 3 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL4i9FKuiEA
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Gravity Falls Theme (TRAP Remix) - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
In a stark departure from our popular music series, here's a TRAP MUSIC bucket drumming arrangement for the theme song from the hit Disney/Disney XD animated series, Gravity Falls!
There are two all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
Here's the link to the TRAP Remix version on YouTube:
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Walk it Out! - an original Tubano/Djembe composition!
By Jason Litt
In "Walk it Out, introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C],). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands with some syncopated rhythms
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher). There are a few measures with a clap that's indicated on a top line F
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
(Remember the repeat in the beginning :D)
Have a terrific time with this one :)
Treble Clef FOUR CORNERS! (Class Notation Game)
By Jason Litt
TREBLE CLEF FOUR CORNERS!
· To play Four Corners, ensure all students understand the lines and spaces of the staff (bottom line E to top line F).
· Number each side of the room 1, 2, 3, and 4 (or alternatively, color code it green, blue, red, or purple with floor tape)
· They will hear a 9 second timer. Students will have a chance to walk to one of four corners and stay there for the duration of the round.
· On the next slide, the treble clef notation will appear in each corner and you will see a letter name from the Treble Clef Staff
· The students will have to guess which treble clef notation it is by showing it with their fingers (1, 2, 3, or 4)
· The teacher then reveals to the students which treble clef note it was (#1, #2, #3 or #4) and the students who are in that corner are OUT!
· Keep repeating until no kids are left!
Included are 12 examples (you can switch it up each time and do different notation each time), the 9 second timer embedded in the powerpoint file, and instructions