Lesson Plan: 100th Day of School
When I taught elementary school, I remember that there were BIG celebrations around the 100th Day of School. This milestone in the school calendar usually happened around the beginning of February, and depending on where you teach, you may have already celebrated it when you’ve read this post. I recall that students would often come to school with projects that they had made at home - collecting 100 objects and glueing them to a poster board - like Cheerios, paper clips, or even pennies. But what about celebrating the 100th Day of School in music class? Here is a short and simple lesson and activity that I think your students will like. It incorporates composition and Noteflight.
100th Day of School = 100 Notes!
Materials:
A few days before the 100th day of school, introduce this composition activity as a fun way to celebrate this milestone in the school year.
The example contains 100 notes in 16 measures. All pitches are the same.
Have the students choose a key signature at the beginning.
Students can change the pitches using the arrow keys or by clicking and dragging them.
Students can change the instrument if they would like to.
Give the students ample time to compose their melodies.
If students would like to, they can change the rhythmic patterns as long as the final piece has exactly 100 notes.
Procedure:
In celebration of the 100th day of the school year, here is a music composition activity for you!
The musical example in this task contains EXACTLY 100 notes. In this assignment you can change the pitches but not the rhythms UNLESS you make sure that there are exactly 100 notes when you are done.
When all of the students have finished the assignment, you can share student work for reflection, editing, revision, etc.
Extensions:
Have students create a second part to provide harmony or counterpoint.
Have students include dynamics, articulations, and tempo changes.
Have students create their own 100 note melodies using their own rhythmic patterns.
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