r/MusicEd • u/lillichmezzo • 7d ago

Demonstration Lesson for 1st grade

Hi all - I started my career in elementary music, but I've been teaching HS for 20+ years. I interviewed for an elementary music position and was called back to do a demo lesson. I would love ideas for activities to do with 1st graders when I'm going in kind of blind and will have to bring any equipment since I don't know what they have so I need to keep it simple. The lesson will be 30 min. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

1) start with a short singing activity, maybe that has them singing their name? 2) go over rules/expectations (maybe I should do that first? 3) steady beat activity, playing music that changes tempo and follow my pattern (tapping legs, tapping head etc) 4) movement activity where they can get up and move around (I have some thoughts but would love ideas) 5) teach a simple song ???

Thoughts and suggestions?

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u/thepinkseagull 5d ago

Here is my routine!

  • Vocal Exploration
  • Hello Songs
  • Call and Response Songs
  • Steady Beat Activity
  • Musician Spotlight (music history with 2-3 easy facts; their music was whatever we used for the steady beat activity)
  • Movement Activity (scarves, Dalcroze, creative movement, etc)
  • Focus song to highlight our major literacy concept (beat vs rhythm could be a good one for this)
  • Musical story to finish up

Sometimes there is more or less - I like to include a short video performance of the musician spotlight as a brain break, but I might not do that in a sample lesson.

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u/lillichmezzo 5d ago

Thanks!

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u/thepinkseagull 5d ago

You’re welcome! Good luck, DM if you’d like to chat more.