Summer SAVY 2017, Session 5/Day 1- The Math in Music (Rising 1st)
We had a great first day in the Math in Music! We started the day by moving and grooving to MC Hammer and learning about some new instruments that we will play throughout the week. After introductions, we started to learn about different ways we can experience patterns. The students played a fun rhythm game where they got to echo long and short rhythm patterns using their voice and instruments! As several of the students noted, we learned that some patterns just feel easier to remember than others – we will learn why throughout the week!
After playing with patterns we could hear, the students started to focus on patterns we could see. We compared and contrasted two different patterns to learn about repeating and growing patterns. In the process, several students were able to identify some key rules about patterns, such as patterns have a source or starting point and that patterns have to occur at least twice in order to be a pattern! The students then broke off into small groups and classified various patterns as repeating or growing. One student even got the “tough” pattern of the day and recognized that the pattern “1 2 3 1 2 3” could be considered both growing and repeating!
With a better understanding of pattern types, we went on a Pattern Walk outside to draw patterns we could find. After we shared our findings from the walk, we began to focus on repeating patterns and how they are used in music. We learned about AB, AAB, and ABA patterns and assigned special sounds to each letter. The students also worked in groups to create their own repeating patterns with instrument sounds. At the end of the day, the groups performed their pattern piece for the class.
Tomorrow we will be extending our understanding of patterns by focusing on creating patterns with numbers. We will begin to learn how to use 0s, 1s, and 2s to create and play basic rhythmic patterns. This will be our introduction into reading music!
Ms. Jessica Lawson
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