Pentatonic Jump Lesson Plan
Pentatonic Power Jump
Multi-Sensory Solfege for 3rd & 4th Grade
Lesson Type Movement & Tactile
Inclusive Design Features
For ADHD Support
- Frequent movement breaks (stations)
- Tactile "fidget" manipulatives
- Low-verbal, high-action instructions
For Dyslexia Support
- Color-coded pitch relationships
- Icon-based Curwen hand signs
- Minimal text on visual aids
Objectives
- Identify Do-Re-Mi-So-La by color and hand sign.
- Perform melodic leaps using floor cards.
- Sequence 4-beat patterns physically.
Materials
- Giant Solfege Floor Cards
- Desk-side Pocket Strips
- Xylophone or Piano
The "Jump Start" Routine (10 mins)
1
Echo Body Percussion
Sing "Do" (low) with hand sign while touching toes. Sing "La" (high) while reaching for the sky. Fill in the middle notes with corresponding body height.
2
The Silent Curwen Game
Teacher shows a hand sign. Students must perform the sign and jump into the "stance" (squat for Do, reach for La) without making a sound.
High-Action Learning Stations
Activity 1: The Human Melodograph
15 MINS
Place the Giant Floor Cards in a straight line or a zig-zag across the room.
- Students line up. Teacher plays a 3-note pattern on a piano (e.g., Do - Mi - So).
- The first student must "jump" the melody, landing on each floor card while singing the note.
- Variation for ADHD: Add a "speed round" where they must run through the pattern as fast as possible without missing a card.
Pro-Tip for Dyslexia:
The spatial distance between the cards should match the pitch distance. Place "So" and "La" closer together than "Mi" and "So" to visualize the minor third gap.
Activity 2: Flashcard Tetris
15 MINS
Small group work using the Pocket Strips.
- Give each pair a set of color-coded cards.
- Challenge: "Build a melody that starts on Do, ends on Do, and uses Mi exactly twice."
- Students physically move the cards around to "compose." They then perform their creation for another pair using hand signs.
Teacher Note:
This tactile manipulation removes the barrier of "writing" music, allowing students to focus purely on the relationships between sounds.
Sensory Cool Down
Lights down. Have students close their eyes. Teacher hums a single pentatonic note. Students slowly raise their hand to the correct Curwen sign height without opening their eyes. Finish with a collective "Do" hum that fades to silence.
Pentatonic Pattern Maker Worksheet
Sonic Sculptors
Melody Pattern Maker
Name:
Date:
Cut out the solfege cards from the next page. Arrange them in the boxes below to build your melody. Sing each note as you place it!
Beat 1
Beat 2
Beat 3
Beat 4
Hand Sign Reference
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
Solfege Sculptor Strips
Cut along the dotted lines. You have enough for two patterns!
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
DO
MI
SO
RE
LA
DO
MI
Teachers: Print on heavy cardstock if possible!
Pentatonic Pulse Check Assessment Cards
Pentatonic Pulse Check
Quick Assessment Cards (4 per page)
Student Card
Listen & Point
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
Hand Sign Check:
Student Card
Listen & Point
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
Hand Sign Check:
Student Card
Listen & Point
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
Hand Sign Check:
Student Card
Listen & Point
DO
RE
MI
SO
LA
Hand Sign Check:
Teacher Instructions
Give one card to each student. Play a single note or pattern. Students point to the corresponding colors/icons. For ADHD focus, have students use a clothes-peg or paperclip to "tag" the note they hear.
Teacher Observation Tracker
Pentatonic Power Jump Master List
Class: ____________________
| Student Name | Matching Pitch | Correct Hand Sign | Jump Patterns | Composition |
|---|
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
Pentatonic Power Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Pentatonic Power Out!
Name:
1. Circle the sign for DO:
2. Color the HIGHEST note:
How did you feel today?
I liked the jumping!
I composed a song!
Exit Ticket
Pentatonic Power Out!
Name:
1. Circle the sign for DO:
2. Color the HIGHEST note:
How did you feel today?
I liked the jumping!
I composed a song!
