Cross-curricular Lesson plan: A World of Music - Grade 1

Lesson Overview

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This lesson was designed to hone interdisciplinary skills for young students that are just embarking on their exploration of the world around them. It includes elements of: 

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- Music

- Social Studies

- Physical Education

- Geography

Music is a universal language that kids all around the world share and understand. Today, we will visit Iraqi Kurdistan, China, Mongolia and lots of other fascinating places to hear from kids about their customs and traditions surrounding music.
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To access interactive activities, printables, videos and a whole lot more interactive resources, you can get started with Touchable Earth for free here.

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Lesson Objectives & Curriculum Alignment:
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United Kingdom
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• Curriculum Area: Music, Physical Education, Geography
• Alignment: Aligns with the National Curriculum's objectives for students to understand the cultural origins and significance of different musical traditions and dance forms. It supports the geography aim of providing locational knowledge and cultural understanding of the countries studied.

United States
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• Curriculum Area: Music, Dance, Social Studies
• Alignment: Meets the National Core Arts Standards by facilitating an understanding of artistic expressions from diverse cultures. It aligns with Social Studies standards by exploring cultural traditions and practices, fostering a global perspective.

Canada
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• Curriculum Area: Arts Education, Social Studies
• Alignment: Complies with the Arts curriculum by encouraging students to express themselves and appreciate different cultural contexts through music and dance. It supports Social Studies outcomes by enhancing understanding of cultural diversity and heritage.

New Zealand
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• Curriculum Area: The Arts, Social Sciences
• Alignment: Supports the New Zealand Curriculum's emphasis on exploring and responding to a variety of music and dance within cultural contexts, promoting an understanding of cultural heritage and identity.

Australia
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• Curriculum Area: The Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Alignment: Complies with the Australian Curriculum's goals for students to explore music practices and works across a range of cultures, times, and locations. It supports the cross-curriculum priority of Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, encouraging students to appreciate the diverse cultures within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
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Introductory Activities

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Ask students to write down their favorite song and the way it makes them feel.

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Music makes us feel all sorts of ways! What makes YOUR body move to the sound? Let’s check and see what you already know about music and dance and start our musical adventure around the world!

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Children Around the World

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Our first stop is in Iraqi Kurdistan, a place in the Middle East where Kawsar and her friends live. She will show us a traditional dance that accompanies the music from this area.

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Our next stop is in India, where Mala performs a traditional Maharashtrian poem.

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Up next, we are heading north to country of Mongolia. Here we will hear Odbayar playing a beautiful tune on his traditional intrument that has only two strings! 

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Next, we are heading to India, where Vaideh will sing a traditional song.

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To access, all videos and interactive activities from kids around the world sharing one piece of their place with the world, you can get started here for

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Activities

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Discussion Prompts:

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Option 1:

Imagine we're musical explorers on a journey around the world. Today, we met new friends from all over the world. What do you think kids in these places feel when they play their traditional music and dance? Let's share our thoughts and see if we can understand the emotions behind the music."
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Option 2:

Every culture celebrates with music and dance, much like we do. Can you remember a special celebration we learned about today? What kind of music and dance were involved, and how does it compare to how we celebrate our special occasions?"
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Storytelling Prompts:

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• Imagine you're a musician in one of the countries we learned about. What kind of music would you play, and what stories would your songs tell?"
• Draw a picture of a dance celebration based on the dances you've seen today. Describe who is there, and what are they celebrating?"

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Blended Activities/Projects Ideas:
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• Family Interview Project: "Interview a family member about their favorite music and dance. What memories do they have related to music? Share your findings with the class."
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• Explore Local Music Events: "Research to find a local music or dance event. It could be a concert, a dance class, or a cultural festival. Share what you learned about the music and dance styles presented."

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Interactive Activities: 

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To access a range of interactive activities that you can embed into your LMS and make this lesson interactive...

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