Y4. Lesson 1. Prepare syncopation
Prior learning: None
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials: Woodblocks or claves
Keywords: Beat, rhythm, singing, chanting, partners, rhymes, circle games.
Difficulty: 
Prepare
Syn-co-pa
Present
Practise
Three sounds over two beats, with the second sound being the longest, is called syn-co-pa. This is known as a syncopated rhythm. This lesson discusses the preparation of this concept.
Melodic development
Students discover a new song for repertoire as preparation for the rhythm syllable, syn-co-pa.
- This song serves to teach the melodic element 'high do' as well as prepare for syn-co-pa
- When secure, the first 'L'il Liza Jane' can be sung as an ostinato throughout the song.
- Lead the class in singing the song and draw attention to the second measure.
- Ask how many beats are in this measure [4].
- Ask how many sounds are in the first two beats [3].
- Project the heartbeat image and sing the measure, pointing to the hears as you do so.
Rhythmic development
Students review rhythm syllables from prior learning.
- Revising the rhythm patterns from previous lessons at this time is helpful.
- Begin with reviewing the simplest patterns of one sound on the beat (ta) and two sounds on the beat (ti-ti)
- Next are four sounds on the beat (tita-tika).
- Three sounds on the beat, with the first being the longest (ti-tika)
- Three sounds on the beat, with the third being the longest (tika-ti)
- Students should keep the beat on their feet and clap these patterns sequentially.
Game
Students learn a dance to a traditional American folk song.
1. Great big house in New Orleans,
Forty stories high,
Every room that I been in
Filled with pumpkin pie.
2. Went down to the old mill stream,
To fetch a pail of water;
Put one arm around my wife,
The other ’round my daughter.
3. Fare thee well, my darling girl,
Fare thee well, my daughter,
Fare thee well, my darling girl,
With the golden slippers on her.
Divide the class into A's and B's.
Verse 1
- Measures 1-2 A's step forward four steps (on the crotchet beats).
- Measures 3-4 A's step back four steps.
- Measures 5-6 B's step forward four steps.
- Measures 7-8 B's step back four steps.
Verse 2
- Measures 1-2 A's step forward four steps and join hands.
- Measures 3-4 B's step forward four steps while reaching into the circle created by the A's. They join hands with other B's.
- Measures 5-6 B's raise their joined hands over the heads of the A's and stand behind the A's circle.
- Measures 7-8 A's raise their joined hands over the heads of the B's and stand intertwined.
Verse 3
- Measures 1-4 All students step left with the left foot and bring the right foot to step together with the left foot. Repeat this sequence four times.
- Measures 5-6 A's lift their hands over the heads of the B's.
- Measures 7-8 B's circle left with four small steps until they are each between 2 different people.
Listening
Students practise skips and steps in the d-m-s song.
- Lead the class in singing the song.
- Ask students how many different notes are in the song [3].
- Draw a row of six vertical boxes and place so in box 5.
- Ask what the other notes are [do and mi].
- Ask where mi should go - and whether it is a step or a skip [skip].
- Ask where mi should be shown [box 3].
- Ask where you should go - and whether it is a step or a skip [skip]
- Draw do in the first box.
- The class will sing the song in solfa and use hand signs if they are used in your teaching method.
Visual learning
Students review rhythm syllables from prior learning.
Students clap these rhythm syllables.
Instruments
Students
Part work
Students as a class, and solo, must sing the final note of a known melody
- Sing a familiar melody but stop before the final note.
- Students must complete the note.
- Choose a song, starting with simple examples such as Kangaroo to more advanced songs.
- This activity helps them grasp the tonal strength of each note.
- An engaging exercise is to have students experiment with alternative endings to well-known compositions. This enhances their understanding of harmonic functions and voice leading.
Assess
Suggested lessons
Y1. Beat II
Y1. Beat III
Y1. Beat IV