Introduction|Content Area|Standards|Implementation|Resources|Entry Skills|Evaluation|Conclusion

Introduction

This lesson was developed as part of an Internet Class for teachers of the Taos Municipal School District. Nancy Montano of La Plaza Telecommunity taught the class.

I chose the topic of Nursery Rhymes because I teach music K-5 and I found that Nursery Rhymes are an excellent way to teach rhythm, rhyme and drama to students. This lesson will help students become familiar with many different Nursery Rhymes.

Content Area and Grade Level

This lesson is geared for grades K-2. However, it can also be used effectively with upper elementary grades in various creative activities. As music encompasses many subject areas, this lesson can be incorporated into subject areas such as Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, Drama, Art or Math.

Curriculum Standards

As a result of this lesson students will learn a variety of Nursery Rhymes. They will also learn rhyming, rhythm, counting, sequencing, drama, singing, reading etc.

The following Content Standards and Benchmarks for Art Education in the state of New Mexico are met in this lesson:

• Learn and develop the essential skills and technical demands unique to dance, music, theatre/ drama, and visual arts.
• Integrate understanding of visual and performing arts by seeking connections and parallels among art disciplines as well as all other content areas.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of the creative process.

 
Implementation Overview

This lesson can be implemented individually or as a class. It can be used as part of a lesson in other subject areas such as Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Drama, Music etc. It can be drawn out for weeks or it can be used once a month for enhancing other lessons. It can be used in music class or as a great program idea. It is a great way to promote self-esteem and cooperative learning in class.

Resources Needed

The following links will be needed for the implementation of this lesson:

• http://www.members.home.com/veeceet/index.html (This sight has words and music)
• http://www.zelo.com/family/nursery/index.html (Nursery Rhymes – no music)
• http://www.mamalisa.com/house/index.html(click on pictures for sound effects – good for K)
• http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Glade/7438/index.html (Nursery Rhymes to music and other songs too)
• http://yedo.com/(Guess what nursery they are talking about – text is used to create images.
• http://ipl.org/youth/StoryHour/goose/(Listen to Mother Goose read nursery rhymes or read the story yourself)
Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

It will be helpful if students know how to read but it is not necessary to benefit from this lesson. The teacher does not need any special skills to present this lesson. Teachers can easily tie this lesson in with any other subjects that they may be teaching.

Evaluation

The teacher can evaluate the lesson by having students recite or sing a nursery rhyme for the class. Groups of students can also act out a favorite nursery rhyme for the class. Students can also draw a picture of their favorite nursery rhyme and submit it for a grade. A grade can be given for each presentation.

Possible Variations

Older students can write their own modern day nursery rhymes. Students can work together in groups to present a drama to the class to see if the class can guess what nursery rhyme they are representing. Students can present a program to parents based on the theme of "Nursery Rhymes". Older students can build props and they can help with the actual production. Have students make up a commercial for TV based on a certain nursery rhyme.

Conclusion

This lesson will help students achieve an understanding of rhythm and rhyme through fun musical experiences. It promotes the development of a positive self-image through a variety of activities and is geared toward helping students achieve some level of success.

It makes students aware of various cultures and careers and it ties them all together in rhyme. Since music enhances the educational process, the students are learning Reading, Math, Science, History, Geography, Social Studies, Drama, Art, and World Cultures throughout this lesson.

 

Introduction|Content Area|Standards|Implementation|Resources|Entry Skills|Evaluation|Conclusion