This lesson takes the classic story/song ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ and gives the students the chance to explore different instruments to make some of the sounds that are needed to bring the song to life.This lesson also has a literacy elements to it so can be used as part of a unit of literacy work with this lesson used to engage the students more and get them thinking about different aspects.

Music is a great way for students to explore their creative side and engage in performance. Young students (the target for this lesson) have had some experience with musical instruments it can be assumed during their early life stages and may have created musical preferences so as teachers of music we need to give students the opportunity to explore different styles of music and instruments at this age to give them a broader appreciation of the world of music and what can be achieved. This will give them the confidence to explore and try new things – an important lesson for children to learn.

This activity will give students the opportunity to explore different instruments to recreate sounds heard in a story. They will have the chance to work cooperatively with their classmates as they add sounds from various instruments and other tools to the song ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’.

This lesson is designed to engage the students by allowing them the freedom and creatively to add their own touches to the song/story.

One major part of the music curriculum is to get students listening to music, playing instruments, singing and movement to music, and this lesson incorporates all of these elements in a fun manner that maintains every student’s attention and involvement throughout.

In Foundation to Year 2, students explore music. They listen to and explore sound and learn about how music can represent the world and that they can make music to represent their ideas about the world. They share their music with peers and experience music as audiences.

Have the students settle down on the floor and then read the story to them. Ask questions along the way – seeing the Literacy benefits of this lesson as well.

This will give the students the chance to see the story in it’s entirely and give them time to think about it and develop thoughts about its content.

Have the students look at some of the different instruments that can be used to make the sounds of the story. During this session ask questions to see if students are familiar and know the names of any of the instruments on display. Is there a different way we can make each sound? i.e. using our voices?Give the students the opportunity to look at the way the instruments are used and the sounds that they are capable of making.

This strategy is designed to give students the chance to explore, which is a great focus of arts education. As the teacher we shall inform students about the objects but also giving them room to explore and generate ideas by themselves about how they want to take the lesson.

Look through each page of the book and have students decide which instrument will best make the sound that they believe will create a sound similar to that on the page. i.e. what instrument can make a sound similar to walking through sticky mud.

Once each page has been looked at and an instrument decided students can divide and each have instruments. Have the class perform the song in its entirety with the instruments that they have decided work best for the sounds needed in the song. This is where the lesson comes to life. Students can also become active and add the movement and actions.This strategy is used to have students move and become part of the story. This will help engage students and finish the lesson on a high note with students. Movement is one of the key parts of learning for some students and so by encouraging movement we give all students the chance to become more engaged.

Assessment:

• Evaluation will take place in looking at the way in which the students engaged in the lesson. As this book is a popular tale and has been the case for a substantial period of time it is hoped all students will engage in the lesson.
• Assessment can be completed by watching the way in which the students work with each other to create the sounds of the story. Asking questions along the way will help to identify students who are understanding the concept and those who are struggling with the ideas.
• Future lessons would continue to focus on introducing new instruments as well as developing the skills of listening to music and the understanding of it.

Resources:

• Book and CD (Audio version) of ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’
• A large variety of different musical instruments and other materials that could be used to make sounds for the story/song.
• Audio Player

 

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