Erica Lumsden

Recorder Lesson Plan B, A, G - Mary Had a Little Lamb

Level: 4th Grade - Beginner

Content: B, A, G

Context: Mary Had a Little Lamb (rote + music)

Standards:
Performing: Anchor Standard #5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for
presentation.
Connecting: Anchor Standard #10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal
experiences to make art.


Objectives:
Students Will Be Able To play Mary Had a Little Lamb by playing the correct notes given
by the teacher through showing high, medium, low pitch levels to create the melody.
SWBAT use their prior knowledge and listening skills to relate the melodies given in the
rote teaching expertise to the melodies of Mary Had a Little Lamb.
SWBAT play Mary Had a Little Lamb by reading the notes on the sheet music while using
correct air pressure, fingering, and note lengths.

Known: The notes BAG, the song Mary Had a Little Lamb

New: Rote teaching method

Materials: Mary Had A Little Lamb Sheet Music, recorders, document camera or
computer/projector.

Assessment: Listening to the group as a whole to make sure no one is sticking out by
playing to loud or playing the wrong notes.

Procedure:

Pitch Level Designation/ Set Up

[Recorders art REST]
“From our three pitches, B/A/G, which pitch is the highest?” - B
“Which is the lowest?” - G
“When I have my hand up here [top of head], play the highest note we know: B.
When I have my hand here [at neck], play A. When I have my hand here [under rib
cage], play our lowest note: G”
Have hand flat like solfege mi. “Karate chop” air to indicate a new note.
“As you watch my hand move up and down, play the notes for as long as my
hand is in that spot. When I put my hand in a fist, stop playing.”
Show the hand signs and ask students what we do when it is shown.
Rote Song
[Recorders at CHIN]
“Ready?” Place hand at starting note, B, with closed fist. Say “1, 2, ready, play”
and chop air to indicate first note.
Go through the entire song at about 60 bpm.
[Recorders at REST]
After the song, ask the students if they know what song they just played.

Transition
Have the students sing the song while moving their hand up and down with the
note changes while going to change to the bored with the sheet music.
Help them by doing it as much as possible while still transitioning

Sheet Music
“Now we are going to play the music faster. But first, lets say the note names as I
point to them.”
Try to keep a steady tempo and keep the pointing in rhythm.
[Recorders at CHIN]
“Lets play it, looks at the notes on the board, at this tempo…” [sing two bars at
tempo] “Okay. 1, 2, ready, play…”
Point while students play.

Closing
End by telling the students a couple good things that they were doing, and at
least one area for them to work on/keep in mind for next time.