Music Education — Grade 3

World music

In BioMusic, page 1.5

In this lesson, students will understand that birds of the same family can have different songs. While listening to four different thrush songs, they will also learn to read a sound spectrogram and compare it with sheet music.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Squawking is talking

In BioMusic, page 1.3

In this lesson, students compare bird song with human song. After a brief overview of how humans and birds make sound, they will begin to consider how both learn to sing and focus on particular aspects of their songs. To end the lesson, students craft Bird Calling Cups to make their own bird calls.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Sounds all around

In BioMusic, page 1.1

In this integrated music and science lesson, students predict what sounds they would expect to hear in a particular habitat or under certain weather conditions. While listening to various soundscapes in groups, students record describing words in their science notebooks and then use pantomime to describe the origins of sounds. A concluding discussion focuses on natural and man-made sounds.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Shakin' and eggs

In BioMusic, page 1.2

In this integrated lesson, students learn about the different kinds of animals that hatch from eggs. As they explore the properties of eggs, they will also develop their understanding of sound by conducting an experiment with “sound eggs” and using musical terminology to describe their findings.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Love songs

In BioMusic, page 1.4

In this lesson, students will investigate how birds use song to communicate. After listening to the story Birdsongs and recordings of bird songs, they will identify “words” in the calls and patterns in the songs.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Copy cat

In BioMusic, page 1.7

In this lesson, students will learn many interesting things about mockingbirds. They will explore the difference between a mimic and an echo, then go on a nature walk and record bird observations in their science notebooks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Biomusicologist

In BioMusic, page 1.8

In this lesson, students will learn about the field of biomusicology. They will investigate current scientific research and understand how researchers often must work in teams to achieve their goals.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Guidance and Music Education)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Biodiversity: The many sounds of insects

In BioMusic, page 1.6

In this lesson, students will explore the sounds of insects and compare them with bird songs. They will create pan flutes and use them for communication.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education and Science)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Resources on the web

Musical Harlem

Students will learn to identify musical styles and musicians associated with Harlem, focusing on jazz. They will learn about the special role of music in Harlem as a unifier of a community and of a culture. Students can listen to audio samples and analyze... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 Music Education and Social Studies)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Brass instruments and pitch

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students create a “brass” instrument, make predictions, and explore how pitch changes based on the length of the air pipe. Students will: design investigations that determine what factors affect the... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Music Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge