TEACHER RESOURCE PACKET
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 - INTRODUCTION LETTER 4-6 - ONLINE ACTIVITIES Zen Breaths Musical Break Rhythm Composition Music Maps Explore the Orchestra - Strings and Woodwinds Explore the Orchestra - Brass and Percussion Melody Composition Memory Game
6-8 - VIDEOS Professionals vs. DIY Instruments Fanga Alafia Orchestra and Dance Performance The Irish Washerwoman Orchestra Performance Shojoji Orchestra and Taiko Drum Performance Alma Llanera Orchestra and Singer Performance Songs of Italy Orchestra Performance Learn About Tempo Conductor Talk Virtual Art Party About the Trumpet Music and Imagination Duet Basics Featuring Oboe and Horn More Duet Fun Featuring Viola and Double Bass Pick the Parts Rondo alla Turca How to Conduct For Kids
9-10 - OFFLINE ACTIVITIES Fruit and Veggie Rhythm Words Active Listening Worksheets Music Maps Conduct-Along Music and Storytelling
11-12 - SHAREABLE ACTIVITIES Fruit and Veggie Rhythm Words Rhythm Composition Melody Compositions Active Listening Worksheets Music Maps Music and Storytelling
Hello, Inside the Orchestra is so thrilled to be a part of your students' educational journey. Whether you assign these activities for at-home learning or complete them in the classroom, we hope they'll provide your learners with fun ways to engage with music, the orchestra, and the arts. The activities in this packet are broken down into four main categories. Some activities can be found in multiple categories. 1. Online Activities - Activities that are completed entirely on the computer. 2. Videos - Original Inside the Orchestra video content that includes videos about instruments, performances, explorations of musical concepts, and more. 3. Offline Activities - Though some parts of the activity may have an online component such as needing an online playlist, these activities can be primarily or entirely completed offline. 4. Shareable - These activities have final outcomes that can be shared with the teacher or classmates. This packet highlights individual activities that students can complete. To find more comprehensive start-to-finish lessons on a subject or theme, check out our online activity database and sort by full activity guides. You can search by student age, activity type, and more to find the perfect fit for your students and your classroom. You can also check out all of our themed playlists here.
Thank you for all that you do to enrich the lives of your students. We are grateful to be a part of that process. Musically,
The Inside the Orchestra Team
ONLINE ACTIVITIES
Activities that can be completely entirely online with no additional materials.
ZEN BREATHS MUSICAL BREAK ALL AGES
UNDER 5 MINUTES
NO MATERIALS
When working through a challenging time, music can be a powerful tool. Antonin Dvorak’s Humoresque is a truly wonderful piece of music to regain a sense of calm and bring back some levity. Students can engage in a breathing and centering activity as they listen to Humoresque. Use the guided prompts in our blog post as you listen to the music.
ONLINE RHYTHM COMPOSITION ELEMENTARY & UP
5+ MINUTES
Using our online composition tool, children can compose their own basic rhythms and play them back. Going Further: Students can play along with their compositions Students can record themselves playing their rhythms Students can write "lyrics" for the music - words that line up with the rhythms. This activity is shareable - students can email you their composition directly from the platform.
MUSIC MAPS ELEMENTARY & UP
15+ MINUTES
Students will map out the progression of key moments in a short piece of music in this online platform, helping to develop critical listening and processing skills. Music excerpts include O Fortuna from Carmina Burana and William Tell Overture. **This activity also includes a worksheet option that can be printed if you prefer this as an offline activity.**
ONLINE ACTIVITIES
Activities that can be completely entirely online with no additional materials.
EXPLORE THE ORCHESTRA - STRING & WOODWIND FAMILIES PRESCHOOL & UP
10+ MINUTES
NO MATERIALS
Students can explore the string and woodwind families of the orchestra. Click on the instruments to hear their sounds and learn fun facts about each instrument.
Then, take the listening quiz and try and identify the instrument by their sound.
EXPLORE THE ORCHESTRA - BRASS & PERCUSSION FAMILIES PRESCHOOL & UP
10+ MINUTES
Students can explore the brass and percussion families of the orchestra. Click on the instruments to hear their sounds and learn fun facts about each instrument. Then, take the listening quiz and try and identify the instrument by their sound.
ONLINE MELODY COMPOSITION PRESCHOOL & UP
15+ MINUTES
Children can compose their own basic melodies.
Going Further, older students: Students can write a short story or draw a picture to illustrate their piece and/or it's story. Band and orchestra students can play along with their compositions. Students can record themselves playing their melodies. This activity is shareable - students can email you their composition directly from the platform.
ONLINE ACTIVITIES
Activities that can be completely entirely online with no additional materials.
ORCHESTRA MEMORY PRESCHOOL & UP
10+ MINUTES
NO MATERIALS
Just like the traditional memory game, flip over pairs of cards until you find a matching set of instruments. Students can choose to play this in beginner, intermediate, or advanced mode.
VIDEOS
Exclusive video content by Inside the Orchestra.
DIY Instruments vs. Professionals
Fanga Alafia
Professional musicians perform Also Sprach Zarathustra on their real instruments and then on DIY instruments they made themselves.
Dancers from Cleo Parker Robinson dance perform Fanga Alafia with our orchestra in February 2020.
VIDEOS
Exclusive video content by Inside the Orchestra.
The Irish Washerwoman
Shojoji
The Irish Washerwoman performed at Tiny Tots in February 2020.
Margaret Ozaki Graves sings and plays taiko drum with our orchestra at Tiny Tots in February 2020.
Alma Llanera
Songs of Italy
Young singer Raquel Garcia sings with the orchestra at Tiny Tots in February 2020.
The orchestra plays Tarantella Napoletana and Funiculi, Funiculi at Tiny Tots in February 2020.
Tempo
Virtual Art Party
Conductor Dan Leavitt teaches about tempo and leads you through a tempo clapping activity.
Flutist Valeria Johnson leads a virtual art party listen and create your own art as she plays her favorite flute tunes.
VIDEOS
Exclusive video content by Inside the Orchestra.
About the Trumpet
Music and Imagination
Conductor Dan tells us a little bit about the trumpet and how it works.
Flutist Valerie leads you on a journey through imagination with her flute.
Duet Basics
String Duet
Learn about duet basics from oboist Kathryn Simpson and horn player Steve Simpson, like tempo, pitch, and harmony.
Bassist Andy Holmes and violist Sarah Richardson play a duet by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf.
Pick the Parts
Learn to Conduct
This "Pick the Parts" activity includes two videos: one standard performance video and one where you can turn instruments on and off.
Conductor Dan teaches a few of the basics of conducting.
OFFLINE ACTIVITIES Activities that can be completely offline.
FRUIT AND VEGGIE RHYTHM ACTIVITIES ELEMENTARY
15+ MINUTES
NO MATERIALS
There are many ways for students to interact with this activity. Simply clap the rhythms of the fruit and veggie words. Write out patterns with those fruits and veggie words, or others, and have kids clap or say the rhythms and patterns. Notate the fruit and veggie words/patterns using music notes. Use this to inspire other found item compositions: Students can use items around their house to create new rhythm words. Provide older students with a rhythm and have them identify items to match those rhythms. **Check out the full blog for more rhythm activity components.**
LISTENING ACTIVITY SHEETS PRE-K & ELEMENTARY
10+ MINUTES
Listening sheet templates include describing how music makes you feel, illustrating a scene in your imagination, and identifying instrument sounds. You can use this playlist along with this activity.
MUSIC MAPS OFFLINE ELEMENTARY & UP
15+ MINUTES
Students will map out the progression of key moments in a short piece of music using printable worksheets and Spotify playlist, helping to develop critical listening and processing skills. Music excerpts include O Fortuna from Carmina Burana and William Tell Overture. **This activity also has an online-only option.**
OFFLINE ACTIVITIES Activities that can be completely offline.
CONDUCT ALONG PRESCHOOL & UP
15+ MINUTES
NO MATERIALS
Conduct along with our playlist of music in 2, 3, and 4. More advanced students can jump right in, while beginner students can take advantage of the additional activities teaching about rhythm, beat, and conducting basics.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MUSICAL STORYTELLING PRESCHOOL & UP
10+ MINUTES
Entry-Level: Use the program music playlist and have kids create visual arts, poems, stories, or dances that relate to the music as they listen. *This art can then be shared with you or classmates.* Going Further: Have them follow the activity prompts to learn about program music.
SHAREABLE WITH TEACHER
Activities that have finished projects that can be shared with a teacher or classmates.
FRUIT AND VEGGIE RHYTHM ACTIVITIES ELEMENTARY NO MATERIALS
15+ MINUTES
There are many ways for students to interact with this activity. Learn more in the "Offline Activities" section. Shareable components - Students can: Write down fruit and veggie rhythm patterns. Create a list of fruit and veggie words that have the same rhythms Find other objects around the house to become rhythm words and compose rhythm patterns for those. Find items around the home and write down patterns to correspond with rhythms you send them.
ONLINE RHYTHM COMPOSITION PRESCHOOL & UP
5+ MINUTES
This can be used in conjunction with the fruit and veggie rhythm words activity above. Using our online composition tool, children can compose their own basic rhythms and listen back. Learn more about this activity in the online activities section. Shareable with teacher - Students can: Email their compositions directly from the platform. Record themselves playing their composition.
ONLINE MELODY COMPOSITION PRESCHOOL & UP
15+ MINUTES
Children can compose their own basic melodies. Learn more about this activity in the online activities section. Shareable with teacher - Students can: Email you their composition directly from the platform. Write a short story or draw a picture to illustrate their piece and share it with you or present to the class online. Band and orchestra students can record themselves playing their compositions.
SHAREABLE WITH TEACHER
Activities that have finished projects that can be shared with a teacher or classmates.
LISTENING ACTIVITY SHEETS PRE-K & ELEMENTARY
10+ MINUTES
Listening sheet templates include describing how music makes you feel, illustrating a scene in your imagination, and identifying the instruments. **These can be emailed to a teacher once completed.**
MUSIC MAPS OFFLINE ELEMENTARY & UP
15+ MINUTES
**Completed worksheet can be scanned and sent to teacher.** Students will map out the progression of key moments in a short piece of music using printable worksheets and Spotify playlist, helping to develop critical listening and processing skills. Learn more in the offline activities section.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MUSICAL STORYTELLING PRESCHOOL & UP
10+ MINUTES
Entry-Level: Use the program music playlist and have kids create visual arts, poems, stories, or dances that relate to the music as they listen. **This art can then be shared with you or classmates.**
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