Third+grade+lesson+edit+-+Three+Little+Monkeys

This lesson is a great way to introduce crossover borduns to third graders as well as review rondo form. There is a composing element to it where they get to come up with rhythms for the B and C sections as well. There is a lot going on in the lesson - instruments, singing, clapping rhythms, etc. It keeps all students engaged all the time!

-Have students grab a white board, marker, and eraser while entering the classroom. Have them place it all under their chairs (they will not need them right away). -Tell students we will be reviewing rondo form and learning how to do a crossover bordun on xylophones today. Explain expectations and goals for the class. -First sing the whole song (Three Little Monkeys) and have the students listen. -Teach the song line by line with the solfege syllables, and have them repeat it, until you get through the whole song. -Sing the song with the text. -Review or teach students what rondo form is. Remind students that rondo is ABACA. See if they can come up with that on their own before helping them. -Have many different 4 beat rhythms (I had 12) on a visual for students to see. Review these rhythms. (examples: four quarter notes, 2 quarter notes followed by 2 eight notes and then another quarter note, etc). -Students will pick up their white boards and markers. -Students will choose one of the rhythms and write it on their white board (or paper, etc). -Four students will get in a group and put their rhythms together. Another 4 students will get in a group and put their rhythms together. There will be 2 groups, each with 4 students. -The students will sing the song, Three Little Monkeys, which will be the A section. Then, they will clap and speak the rhythms of the first group, which will be the B section. Students will sing the A section again, and then the second group will clap their rhythms, creating a C section. Sing the song (A section) again, and then the students have created a rondo (ABACA). -After creating rondos, teach a crossover bordun on the xylophone. Show them how to do it, and then have them practice it on their laps. -Some students will play the xylophone bordun while everyone sings “Three Little Monkeys.” -Give every student the opportunity to play the crossover bordun while students not playing sing the song. -Introduce the ostinatos – have students speak the rhythms of the ostinatos. Add the text and body percussion of the ostinatos. -Have half the class sing the song, while the other half of the class speaks the ostinatos. -Add instruments to the ostinatos (soprano/alto xylophones and temple blocks). Demonstrate what the students need to do. -Have 4 students play soprano xylophone, 4 students play alto xylophones, two students on temple blocks, and 6 students playing bass xylophones. The rest of the class will be singing. -Rotate the students around so they get a chance to play a couple different instruments. -Add the B and C sections back in, creating the rondo with instruments.

TEXT OF THREE LITTLE MONKEYS: I know something I won't tell Three little monkeys in a peanut shell One can read and one can write and one danced the rumba last Friday night.

SOLFEGE FOR THREE LITTLE MONKEYS: Do, re, mi, do, sol, la, sol Do', la, la, sol, sol, la, la, mi, re, do Do, re, mi, do, sol, la, sol, Sol do', la, la, sol, sol, la, mi, re, do

FIRST OSTINATO: Please don't tell Shh! (4 quarter notes/three and one quarter rest on Shh)

SECOND OSTINATO: Can you keep a secret (dotted eighth, sixteenth note, dotted eighth, sixteenth note, quarter, quarter)