Soundscape Directions

Directions:
Fil in the required portions of this document. Be sure to save it. You will submit this file with a link
to your soundscape.
1. The introduction include just a few of the many ideas for soundscapes to get you thinking
creatively. Now it is your turn. Brainstorm a minimum of three soundscape ideas in
different content areas. You should treat this activity as if you are the teacher. You are
creating a project you would have your students do. The soundscape you create will be an
example which you can use in your future pedagogy.
Content Area:
Science
History/ Language Arts
Geography
Language Arts

Soundscape Idea:
The sound of energy (solar, wind, water)
Sound of Shakespeare play
Sounds of habitats (ex. The sounds of the Jungle or wind for the
Tundra)
The setting of the book being read (Ex. Little Red Riding Hood
sounds of the wood)

1. Choose the idea you like the most. Write a brief summary of your idea.
Language Arts- the setting of the book being read
While the teacher is reading out loud to the students a soundscape can be played in the
background to bring the setting to life; example given will be about Where the Wild Things
Are where the setting is in the woods.
2. Identify the grade level, content area, and standards.
Grade level:
Second Grade

Content area(s):
Language Arts: Oral
Expression and Listening

Standards:
1. Discussions contribute and
expand on the ideas of self and
others
2. New information can be learned
and better dialogue created by
listening actively

3. Brainstorm what sounds you feel should be included in this soundscape. (A bit of a project
outline)
Different sound options for the monster- filled woods:
- Monster noises
- Troll grunts
- Rustle of leaves
- Snaps of twigs
- birds
4. Now, create your soundscape. As you create, save your citations.
Citations:
I could not figure out how to use the other soundscape websites given through this
assignment, so I found my own website that I would let students play with first to create a
woodland soundscape before I read the book.
http://www.wildmusic.org/soundscapes/soundmixer
Requirements:

Minimum of 60 seconds and a maximum of five minutes

Quality editing (smooth transitions between clips, sound level is even - it doesnt fluctuate
dramatically)
Creativity
Accuracy (content and grammatical)
Citations
Due on Saturday, April 25 at 11:59PM
Once your soundscape is complete, paste the link here:
You will also need to post your soundscape to your ePortfolio.

How to Information:
1. You can use audio clips from free sound effects and music sites such as SoundBible and
Free Play Music. Remember copyright and fair use when creating your soundscape. Many
short audio clips from popular songs, movies, speeches, etc. used for educational
purposes can be reproduced.
2. The Library of Congress has access to many historical speeches and other audio files.
3. Use your personal mobile device or computer to record unique sound files (reading a story,
singing, voice overs, etc.)
4. To edit your files and create a cohesive soundscape, you can use an iDevice and
GarageBand. GarageBand is also available on the Macs in the McKee lab.
There is free audio editing software for any computer. Audacity is commonly used in K-12
schools and is rather easy to use. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
5. Load your finished file to YouTube, add the link to this document, and load it to your
ePortfolio.
6. Save plenty of time for creation to account for technical difficulties and/or the need for
help.
Audacity:
Sourceforge tutorial
YouTube tutorial: part 1 and part 2
GarageBand:
Tutorial 1
There are many videos available on using GarageBand and Audacity. Just Google whatever you
need.