Adirondack Curriculum Project - Arts Forever Wild
NYS Content Area Standard
The Arts 1. Create, perform, participate in the arts
CDOS
ELA
Health, PE, Home & Careers
LOTE
MST
Social Studies
 Title: Your Community in Song

Grade Level: 3-4th Grade

Author: Mary Sager, Lake George CSD

Email: sagerms@lkgeorge.org
 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
___ Natural History
_X__ Human History
_X__ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: Can you relate the song "Life of A Mountaineer" by Peggy Lynn to reflect life in and around Lake George?

Challenge:
 
1.  Entire music class learns song, "Life of A Mountaineer."
2. Class brainstorms ideas to change the words of the chorus to fit our purpose.
3. In randomly selected groups students rewrite verses relating to previously selected theme. For example:  seasons, wildlife, tourism, ecology, etc.
4.  Each group selects two instruments to accompany their verse.
5. Each group creates simple sign language or movement to accompany their verse.

Quality Standards:  

1. Challenge will be completed in 4-6 music classes.
2. Students will perform song tor a selected audience.
3. Everyone in group will sing.
4. Appropriate signs, movements will be chosen.
5. Words must fit the rhythm of the song.
6. Words must relate to the topic chosen by the members of the group.

Click HERE for QuickTime Movie of Lake George students performing their song.
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 
 Product Title/Name:
Your Community in Song
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
  Song is completed and performed for audience of peers.   4  
  Words of verses are appropriate to topic   4  
  Movement and signing accompanied song in classroom performance   4  
  2 instruments per group were selected and played appropriately   4  
  All members of the group were singing.   4  
       
 
TOTALS
    

Comments: Group songs were performed for individual music class with instruments and movement.  We had a special time with Peggy Lynn, when each group sang their song for her. Then the three classes who were part of the project got together and sang their songs for each other and we videotaped this performance.  Video was made of children working on their projects as well.
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