Interactive ear-training

Subject
Music

Grade Level
6

URL
http://www.happynote.com/music/learn.html - you can download music video games from this site.

Description of Learning Object
In this website, you can download different video games to enhance students’ knowledge of music theory. The two games relevant to this lesson are “Play it by Ear” and “Notes in Space.”

Description

• I would use this site as a supplement to the grade 6 music curriculum, specifically to enhance the skill of reading and writing.
• Students playing “Play it by Ear” would be required to complete a certain number of rounds and keep track of their score at the end of each round.
• Students playing “Notes in Space” would have a time limit and be required to record their best score.
• If students finished quickly, there would be optional games to play such as “Free Tetris” and “Breakout Note Cracker.”
• After this, there would be some ear-training and review as a group.
  

Planning and Prep

• I would make sure that I had played through all the games and discovered all of the options available in the programs.
• I would make sure that the computer lab was booked for the class time.
• I would make sure that all of the student computers had the program downloaded onto it and that it worked properly (sound, video, etc.).
• I would make sure that each game had the proper settings (syllabic notation – as that is what students learn in the curriculum).
• I would make sure that each computer had a set of earphones so that students could focus on their own ear-training and not that of other people.
• I would have students turn in the required scores before being allowed to play optional games.
• I would have a back-up lesson containing traditional worksheets if the technology failed or students were not on task.

General Learner Outcomes
Through the elementary music program, students will develop:

• insights into music through meaningful musical activities
• musical skills and knowledge.

Specific Learner Outcomes
Skill: Reading and Writing

• Recognize whole, half, quarter, eighth notes and the whole, half and quarter rests.
• Extend the use of sol–fa training to include “fa” and “ti”.

Skill: Singing

• Use sol–fa skills in reading music and sight singing.

ICT Outcomes
F.4 - Students will become discerning consumers of mass media and electronic information.

• 2.1 recognize that graphics, video and sound enhance communication
• 2.2 describe how the use of various texts and graphics can alter perception
• 2.3 discuss how technology can be used to create special effects and/or to manipulate intent through the use of images and sound