Birdsong Ballet Lesson Plan Birdsong Ballet
Lesson Plan
Exploring Melodic Contour through Idaho's Feathered Friends
Grade Level
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Duration
35-40 Minutes
Subject
General Music / Movement
Objectives
• Identify high/low pitches in bird calls.
• Move scarves to match melody shapes.
Materials
Scarves
Slides & Activity Sheet
Lesson Procedure
1. Feathered Warm-Up (8 Mins)
Refer to the "Feather Flutters" sheet.
Breathing like a robin and following scarf "sirens" to wake up high and low voices.
2. Meet the Musicians (10 Mins)
Use slides to meet the Western Meadowlark, Mountain Bluebird, and Chickadee. Discuss if their songs slide up, down, or stay the same.
3. The Birdsong Ballet (10-12 Mins)
Movement with scarves! Students act as birds following the pitch height with their "wings." Focus on swooping vs. pecking motions.
4. Sky Trails (10 Mins)
Individual practice on the Sky Trails worksheet. Students trace paths while listening to specific recordings or vocal cues.
Teacher Resource Guide
Differentiation
Focus on gross motor movement (whole arm) for Pre-K. Challenge Kindergarteners to identify staccato (short) vs. legato (smooth) bird calls.
Assessment
Observe: Do students raise scarves on high pitches and lower them on low pitches?
Vocabulary
Pitch High/Low sound
Contour The melody shape
Legato Smooth singing
Staccato Short, peppy chirps
Birdsong Ballet Slides Birdsong Ballet
Exploring melody with our Idaho feathered friends!
Listen
Move
Sing
Meet the Musicians
🐥
Western Meadowlark
Whistles that skip up and down!
🐦
Mountain Bluebird
Gentle warbles that stay in the middle.
🐤
Black-capped Chickadee
Short, peppy chirps like a tiny drum!
Western Meadowlark
Voices slide UP and DOWN !
"Spring is Here!"
Listen to the Song
Trace the line in the air!
Gentle Warbles
Float like a cloud!
Mountain Bluebird
Voices stay SMOOTH and CALM .
A soft song from high in the mountains.
The Sky Ballet
Step 1
Get your colorful scarf ready. It is your wing!
Step 2
When the music goes HIGH , lift your scarf!
Step 3
When the music goes LOW , let it drop!
Step 4
Dance together in the Birdsong Ballet!
Feather Flutters Warm Up Feather Flutters
Daily Vocal Warm-Up
Birdsong Ballet
1. Body Wings
Puff: Deep breath in. Puff your chest out like a robin!
Whoosh: Exhale with a soft "Whoosh" as you drop your shoulders.
Stretch: Reach wings high to the clouds, then low to the grass.
2. Vocal Flutters
Hummingbird: Make a "Mmmm" sound. Feel your nose tickle!
The Slide: Start low and slide UP on an "Ooo" sound.
The Drop: Start high and drop DOWN like a feather.
Follow the Path!
Sing the shape with your voice as you trace with your finger!
The Hill
The Loop
The Chirp
Teacher Tip: Use colorful scarves to help students "see" their voices move!
Sky Trails Activity Sheet Sky Trails
Trace the Bird's Song!
Name:
Date:
Listen to the bird sing. Use a crayon to trace the path the music takes in the sky!
1 Western Meadowlark
High & Low Slides
2 Mountain Bluebird
Smooth Warbles
3 Chickadee
Short Chirps
Your Flight Path
Draw your own bird song shape!
Birdsong Ballet © Music Explorers