Sight Singing / Sing Off
Phil Banette
vachemusic@aol
Ridgebury Elem. School.
TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:
Notation
Information Processing
Level:
Elementary
Class:
General Music
Equipment:
Computer, printer, notation software.
Duration:
90 Minutes
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
The students should have a basic knowledge of the rhythmic values of quarter and half notes in 4/4 time.
NAfME Standards of 1994 Addressed:
NAfME Standards of 1994: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
NAfME 2014: Performing
NAfME Standards of 1994: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
NAfME Standards of 1994: Reading and notating music.
NAfME 2014: Creating
Materials:
Sight Singing sheet enclosed ( or one of your own ) and a piano.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of these lessons ( 3 lessons of 30 min. ):
Students will be able to sing simple ( Do – Sol ) melodic and rhythmic notation in groups and some individually.
Procedures:
Have the students count off 1 & 2, 1& 2 etc… . Then separate them into groups 1 and 2. Hand out the sight singing sheet, Begin working on the first line. Have the students match the first note ( you may have to go around the room one student at a time ). Once you have most everybody on board begin with the first 4 notes ( play first then have them repeat it using the syllables) keep building till the line is completed. Have them ( both groups ) repeat the line a few times. Then ask group 1 to sing alone then group 2 ( each group may need a few tries). Then move on to the next lines, first the groups together then separately. In the last 5-10 min announce that will now be keeping score. Let group 1 sing the first example then have group 2 give it shot. Award a point to the group that sang the best. Tell them you will be listening for the correct notes, clear syllables and a strong sound. The team with the most points that day wins.
As the group gets better you can have soloists ( stronger singers ) from each group challenge each other for points ( watch out, there’s no fun or learning if there are hurt feelings, you may want to stay with just the groups).
At the start of the next class have the students review last weeks material as one group. Then mix them up, count off and on to the new lines.
This lesson is to be done in three 30 min lessons, but you may finish the page in 2 or maybe 4 lessons. You could also break it up and do it every other music class.
Evaluation:
Having completed the singng sheets students will be evaluated on their ability to perform the given worksheet individually or in a group.
Follow Up:
Create harder worksheets. Have the students compose their own exercises for the class to sing.
Have one big competition at the end with a prize ( for both groups).
