232k

Resources: Video clip (1 minute); 2 tone woodblock and beater; word chart.
Download the videoclip 2.3meg (requires Quicktime plugin)

Questions / instructions:

We'll start this activity by looking at a video clip.

Show video clip

Video Scenario: child dialing a number hears an answer phone - the message is clearly audible, and is set to a tune.

Hi there
I'm not here
Ring again
Or leave your name

Child hangs up. Dials another number. Hears another answer phone message - this time, message is bland and without tune.

Ring ring
Goes the phone
Try again
When I'm at home

We've just heard two answer phone messages. The first one was tuneful, but the second one was dull and tuneless.
This is what the message said:

Show and read chart with answer phone message - without any rhythmic or melodic phrasing.

Ring ring
Goes the phone
Try again
When I'm at home

I'll read it again, and you read it with me.
Read message together, without any rhythmic or melodic phrasing.

If we wanted to make the message sound much more fun and more lively, we could say it to music.
I would like you to try to make the message sound much better - with a rhythm or tune. You can use this 2-tone wood block to make sounds as you say the words.
See how you get on, and have some fun trying to work out a tune.

The student may feel more comfortable working at the task if the teacher withdraws while they prepare and practise. Once the student has had time to experiment, ask them to read or sing the message with their music.

Sample responses from year 4 student, high scoring range.
sample response in Quicktime format 554k (requires QuickTime plug-in)

Rhythmic pattern fits words

throughout
most of the time
some of the time
no

Effectiveness of message (liveliness, musicality, phrasing)

very effective
moderately effective
not effective