Objectives (5 minutes)
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Develop the ability to identify different types of music: Students will be introduced to a variety of musical genres, such as pop, jazz, classical, folk, rock, reggae, among others. The goal is for students to be able to distinguish the distinct characteristics of each genre.
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Foster musical appreciation: In addition to identifying different types of music, students will be encouraged to express their opinions and feelings about the music they hear. This objective aims to develop musical appreciation and critical thinking.
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Explore music as a form of expression: Students will learn how music can be used as a form of personal and cultural expression. This will help them understand the role of music in society and in different cultures around the world.
Secondary objectives:
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Develop active listening skills: By listening to different types of music, students will be encouraged to pay attention and reflect on what they are hearing, fostering active listening skills.
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Promote verbal expression and musical vocabulary: Students will be encouraged to describe the music they hear using appropriate musical vocabulary, which will help improve their verbal expression skills and musical understanding.
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Encourage respect for cultural diversity: By exploring different musical genres from various cultures, students will be encouraged to respect and appreciate cultural diversity.
Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)
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Review of previous concepts: The teacher will begin the class by reviewing basic music concepts that have been covered in previous lessons. This may include elements such as rhythm, melody, and harmony. Additionally, some popular musical genres that students may already be familiar with can be briefly reviewed. (5 minutes)
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Situating the problem: The teacher may present two situations that illustrate the importance of understanding musical expression. The first could be the situation of someone attending a classical music concert for the first time and not being able to appreciate the music because they are not familiar with the genre. The second could be the situation of someone listening to a song in an unfamiliar language and, even without understanding the words, being able to perceive the feeling conveyed by the music. These situations can lead to a discussion about how different musical genres can evoke different feelings and how music transcends language barriers. (5 minutes)
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Contextualization: The teacher will contextualize the importance of musical expression in everyday life. It can be discussed how music is used in different contexts, such as in movies to intensify emotions, in social events to create a specific atmosphere, or even as a form of protest or expression of cultural identity. Music-related professions, such as musicians, composers, music producers, and music critics, can also be mentioned to illustrate the relevance of the topic. (5 minutes)
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Gaining students' attention: To pique students' interest, the teacher may share some curiosities about the world of music. For example, it can be mentioned that the longest recorded song lasts over 800 hours, or that the fastest music in the world has over 1000 beats per minute. Additionally, the teacher may share the story of a famous musician, such as Beethoven, who continued to compose music even after becoming deaf. (5 minutes)
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
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Exploring Musical Genres (10 minutes)
The theory of the study of Musical Expressions is based on the identification of different musical genres and styles, which are key components in understanding music. In this topic, the teacher will address some of these genres, introducing their students to the most striking characteristics of each one and how it influences the composition of the songs.
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Rock: The teacher can introduce Rock as a musical genre that usually features a band with electric instruments, such as guitar, drums, and bass. Rock is known for the use of power chords and has a variety of subgenres, ranging from soft rock to heavy metal.
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Pop: As a widely loved musical style, Pop is known for its catchy melody and memorable lyrics. The teacher can play some well-known pop songs and ask the students to identify the vocals, strong beat, and repetitive chorus, which are common characteristics of this style.
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Classical: The teacher should explain that classical music often varies in tempo and dynamics, usually using a wide range of orchestral instruments. A famous classical piece can be played to give the students a sample of this musical genre.
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Jazz: Jazz is another form of musical expression that the teacher can introduce. With its syncopated rhythms, complex harmonies, and improvisations, Jazz can provide a challenging yet rewarding listening experience for students.
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Folk and Ethnic Music: Finally, the teacher should mention genres such as folk music and ethnic music, demonstrating how they can express the cultural traditions of different communities around the world.
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Appreciating Music (5 minutes)
Once the students have been introduced to a variety of musical genres, the teacher dedicates to explaining how we can appreciate Music. At this moment, it is important that the teacher explains to the students that there is no "bad music", but rather a musical taste that is particular to each one. The teacher should encourage students to be open to all styles of music and to respect the musical tastes of their classmates.
- Music as Expression (10 minutes)
After identifying and appreciating music, the teacher should focus on teaching students about how music can be used as a form of expression. It is important to explain that music is a universal language that can express a variety of emotions and ideas.
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Emotional Expression: The teacher can play a sad song and a happy song, asking the students to identify the emotion that each one tries to convey.
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Cultural Expression: The teacher should highlight how music can express the culture, traditions, and history of a people. This can be demonstrated by playing music from various regions of the world and discussing what the music can reveal about the culture of those regions.
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Personal and Social Expression: Finally, the teacher should address how musicians and composers use music to express their own experiences, feelings, and thoughts, as well as to comment on social and political situations. Protest songs can be used as an example of a form of social expression.
Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)
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Group Discussion (5 - 7 minutes)
The teacher asks the students to form small groups and discuss what they have learned during the class. The groups are encouraged to share their opinions on the different musical genres explored, as well as the different forms of musical expression they observed. The teacher circulates around the room, listening to the group discussions and occasionally asking questions to stimulate reflection. At the end of the discussion, each group is invited to share a summary of their conversation with the whole class.
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Connection with the Theory (3 - 4 minutes)
After the group discussion, the teacher recaptures the attention of all the students and makes a brief review of the theoretical concepts addressed in the class. The goal is to connect the group discussions and the students' practical experiences with the theory. The teacher can ask the students how they identified different musical genres and forms of musical expression in the songs they listened to. He can also ask how they applied their active listening skills and musical vocabulary during the activity.
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Individual Reflection (2 - 3 minutes)
At the end of the class, the teacher proposes that the students reflect individually on what they have learned. The teacher can ask the following questions to guide the students' reflection:
- Which musical genre did you like the most and why?
- How did you use music to express your feelings or ideas today?
The students are encouraged to think in silence for a minute before sharing their reflections with the class. The teacher should remind the students that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and that the goal of the reflection is to help them internalize what they have learned and to recognize their own progress.
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Class Conclusion (1 minute)
To conclude the class, the teacher thanks everyone for their participation and encourages the students to continue exploring different musical genres and using music as a form of expression in their daily lives. The teacher can also preview what will be covered in the next class, sparking the students' interest for the next meeting.
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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Class Summary (2 - 3 minutes)
To finalize the class, the teacher will summarize the main topics covered. He/she will reinforce the importance of identifying different musical genres and the distinct characteristics of each one. The teacher will remind the students that musical appreciation is not only in recognizing the different styles, but also in respecting and valuing the musical diversity. Finally, the idea of music as a form of expression will be highlighted, capable of conveying emotions, ideas, and culture.
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Theory-Practice Connection (1 - 2 minutes)
The teacher will explain how the class connected musical theory to practice. The theory of identifying and appreciating different musical genres was put into practice when the students listened to examples of various genres. The theory of music as a form of expression was experienced by the students as they discussed the emotions and feelings conveyed by the songs they heard.
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Extra Materials (1 minute)
After the recap, the teacher will suggest extra materials for the students to further explore the subject. The playlist created for the class can be recommended so that the students can continue exploring the musical genres introduced. Additionally, websites, YouTube videos, documentaries, or books that deal with music and its various forms of expression can be suggested.
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Importance of the Subject (1 minute)
Finally, the teacher will emphasize the importance of musical expression in everyday life. It will be highlighted how music is an integral part of many aspects of society, from entertainment to the expression of cultural and personal identity. Furthermore, the importance of musical appreciation for the development of respect and appreciation for cultural diversity will be stressed.