RE Meeting 14 April 2010 ; Lesson Plan 16 April 2010

Hello everyone,

this is Wen Ye posting again!

Basically, for this lesson, we completed the lesson plan for 16th April's lesson, and there aren't much changes.
We added a new activity: Pitching Cards
We'll go more in-depth later.

16/4/10 Lesson Plan
Things to note
1. Previous lesson was on 9 March
2. Interlink so that the choristers know why they are learning.
3. Group work works well (generates good response)
4. Add in fun activities in-between activities to stimulate and engage choristers.
Warm-ups
1. “Hello, how are you?” “I’m fine, thank you.” (Tie in with Solfege)
2. Ma Meh Mi Moh Mu
3. “Laughing is Contagious”
4. Dog panting (tie in to stagger breathing)
5. Candle blowing and breathing techniques
The following warm ups will be used in-between the practice to engage choristers.
6. Lips loosening: Brrr (with the lips, drink water before doing this activity)
7. Starjumps, Stretches
Teach Solfege
1. Do – Hands clenched
2. Mi – Hands parallel to ground
3. So – Hands perpendicular to ground
4. I sing Do, you sing Mi (tie in to Canon)
5. Which is higher? Do, Mi or So?
6. Draw solfege ladder.
Fun Activity – Vocal Range
Bring along pitch cards/PowerPoint (Pitch Cards.ppt). Ask choristers to sing and modify their pitches according to the lines on the pitch cards. Optional.
Do note that only the pitch increase, and reinforce the fact that a higher pitch does not equate a louder volume.
-Break-
Songs
1. Bugles’ Calling
a. Use solfege to demonstrate the notes  Point to ladder on screen.
b. Phrasing (Bugles’ Calling, Calling, Calling  climax on second “ling”)
2. Grace Orchard School Song
a. Breathing Techniques (breathing marks)
b. Recap on the more difficult words like “develop”
c. Phrasing
d. “Grace Orchard”  “Grace” louder (and more emphasis) than “Orchard”,
e. Develop a rhythmic flow for the song.
f. Start introducing climaxes.
g. 2/3 way climax for most lines.
Lesson Goal: Settle all memorization works, recap on Solfege and develop “Grace Orchard” musically.

For the pitching cards, some examplse would be

As can be seen, choristers will sing a note and then vary their pitch based on the direction of the lines, when the lines go upwards, the pitch increase, and vice-versa. This way, choristers will be able to explore their vocal ranges and also have some fun. =D

That pretty much concludes our lesson plan for Friday.
Isaac and Benjamin will be taking the lesson this Friday, as I have personal matters to attend to.
Isaac, remember to drink lots of water and good luck for your lesson on Friday!

Signing off,
Wen Ye