Learning activities/Class Orchestra

Notes from Nigeria 5/07

File:Orchestra1.jpg

I thought of making a digital-acoustic orchestra... The acoustic part was much louder, and it ended up being only acoustic and kinetic. We started; each row was a different instrument. 'Instrument' meant making a certain kind of sound. It started quietly, but little by little everybody wanted to be louder and louder. The principal came to see why the children were so noisy. When she saw that it was me making all the racket, she asked what it was about. I told her we were an orchestra and asked the children to show her, but she just laughed and told me to enjoy myself. We changed the orchestra for a combination of different sounds and movements, where each student authored one, and we added them to the ensemble. The whole activity lasted less than 20 minutes. However, it was fun for all and required lots of physical coordination and good memory. Break time came but everybody wanted to stay in the classroom. Finally they left to play outside. --Carla Gomez Monroy, Learning Consultant, OLPC

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Activity: Class Orchestra

Description

Turn your class into an orchestra and put on a show!

Activity

1. As a class, introduce the concept of an orchestra. Explain that it means many instruments playing together.
2. Use miniTamTam to learn what various instruments sound like.
3. Divide into groups; each group will be an instrument or section of the orchestra.
4. Allow each group to practice its part.
5. Allow each group to perform its part for the class.
6. Then, "conduct" the class in a class orchestra.

Ideas for Expansion

Create

Students create music with TamTam.

Collaborate

Students work together as sections of the orchestra. Each group may select a "composer," a "recorder," a "section conductor," etc. The class may select an orchestra "conductor" to lead the performance.

Adapt

Students can use TamTam to accompany vocal performances. They can use TamTam to play familiar songs.

Extend

Students can review the performance with Write. They can document the performance with Capture. They can research other orchestras with Browse.

Explore

This activity can be used as an entry into a discussion of musical notation systems, of how sound works, of how songs are linked to national and cultural identities, etc.

Reflect

How can students reflect on what they've learned? And how should this activity be recorded? What kind of digital object should be produced and stored in the Journal?

Related Activities

• I'm the Conductor: http://www.mamamedia.com/areas/grownups/new/learning/lessons/lesson_10.html

Commentary

Comments, feedback, links to other classes using this activity.