MATERIALS:
Song: "Hava Nagila"
Source: The Melody Book. 1998. Simon + Schuster; Prentice Hall, Inc.
Equipment: Cassette Tape Player
Cassette recording of Hava Nagila
PREREQUISITES: (This lesson is aimed at a sixth grade class)
CONCEPTS: Students understand the concept of melodic rhythm.
SKILLS: Students are able to sing on pitch and be able to read lyrics from music. They are completely unfamiliar with this song
MUSIC: Students have copy of Hava Nagila, which is found in their books.
TEACHING TIME: 10-15 minutes
The students will learn how to sing the song Hava Nagila on pitch and with the correct rhythm by clapping the repeated rhythms and by noting the different sections of the song and how they compose the form. The mood of the song is a Hebrew dance song from Israel.
Teacher: What kind of music do they enjoy most in Israel?
(Students give answers.)
T: Music of all types is enjoyed around the world, but in Israel, most children sing folk songs.
What do you think of when you hear folk songs?
(students answer)
T: Dances can often be performed with folk songs. I am going to sing a song today that has many different rhythms in it. (claps opening rhythmic sequence.) This is one rhythm in this song. Can you clap this rhythm with me?
(S clap rhythm)
T continues this rhythm sequence using various rhythms that are found throughout the song, as if it were a "copycat" game
T. Listen as I play a recording of the melody, and raise your hand each time you hear this rhythm. (claps repeated rhythm found late in song)
(S do as T plays example from tape)
T. Very good! Now, we must learn some words to sing with the song. Look at your music and repeat each line after me.
(S do as directed)
T. Next, listen to me sing the words with the music. Then, we will sing the song phrase by phrase. Finally, we will sing the entire song all together.
(These actions are carried out by the S and T.)
T. Excellent job, class! Next time we will sing this song some more and learn a dance that goes with it.
