Variations on Hot Cross Buns

Christine Dunleavy
cdallegro@comcast.net
Winslow Township Elementary School #5

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Electronic Musical Instruments

Level:

Elementary

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Keyboards

Duration:

35 Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students can play Hot Cross Buns on a keyboard

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 1: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
MENC 2: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
MENC 3: Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments.
MENC 4: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
MENC 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
MENC 7: Evaluating music and music performances.

Materials:

Keyboards
Paper and pencils
Chalkboard or Whiteboard

Objectives:

Concepts: Form, Theme, & Variations
Students will create and play variations on Hot Cross Buns using keyboards

Procedures:

Using paper/pencils: students make a letter (e.g. “A”), then “change” it in different ways; volunteers put on board to show class.
Discuss: changes/variations in examples; how can music be changed?
Review Hot Cross Buns: sing with syllables and/or note names (BAG)
Discuss specific to song: melodic direction, time/rhythm; form; major/minor, etc.
Using keyboards, have students play Hot Cross Buns starting different pitches – – – how does that change the tune?
Have students explore other ways to change the melody of Hot Cross Buns:
Eg.change the melodic direction, add extra notes to melody, switch phrases, etc.

Evaluation:

Students play their ariationsä for classmates Classmates discuss what was done to change the song

Follow Up:

More work with variations:
Rhythmic and meter changes
Accompaniment using built-in styles/rhythms and/or percussion bank
Combine variations to create a longer piece

Items to Purchase:

Keyboards – at least 1 per/2 students

When budget should be submitted:

by August before new school year