Jazz Pizzazz

WOW!  What a smart and creative first grade class we have.  Today we had a great break from testing when we had a PBL lesson called Jazz Pizzazz.  We went down to the music room and collaborated with Mr. York and Mr. Walker.  The problem that the students had to solve was as follows:  You are performing with American jazz artists Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Marian Anderson in a local concert. Jazz music is upbeat and often has repeating rhythm. How will you compose and perform your jazz selection. After I presented the problem, the class came up with the facts from the problem and the things that they needed to know.  Then, Mr. York worked with them on their need to know list.  He had them listen to some Duke Ellington music and pick out the beat and pattern in the music.  After discussing the beat and pattern of the music, the students worked together in small groups to compose and practice for their performance.  Last, they had a chance to present as a group their solution to the problem and perform their piece of music.  Listening to their ideas and performances was amazing.  The following are the group solutions:  put music in and play together in a,a,b pattern, make an A,A,B pat, pat, clap pattern, make a pattern with different instruments making a jazz beat, make an A, A, B, B, C pattern, and  pick our own instruments and make a beat  A, A, B, B! What amazing solutions to the problem.  I think we have some future musicians and mathematicians on our hands.  A special thanks goes out to Mr. York for his musical expertise; I couldn't have done it without him.  Also, a special thanks to Mr. Walker for helping me create the flipchart and typing in the students ideas.  Another special thanks to Mr. Carmichael for videoing the lesson.