Activity 3: Service-Learning Project

Who 

This activity is for adult learners developing their music performance skills. This material was originally designed for college students but could be adapted to other age groups.

The Need 

The learning need addressed in this lesson is retention of ukulele chord names and fingerings. The musical performance need addressed in this activity is transitioning between chords. Many individuals in this group wanted to become stronger moving between chords on their ukuleles. This activity includes music performance and creation to practice these skills.

What 

This 30-minute lesson is a part of a college music class for undergrads. These students are developing their music skills and learning how to incorporate music into their future elementary classroom. The activity includes full group instruction, partner practice, and performance.

UDL and SEL 

UDL-Multiple means of action & expression.  The students will demonstrate their chord changing abilities through student-selected music. Based on feedback, the students wanted a small variety of options from which to choose. For this assignment, I provided a structured lesson with body percussion and ukulele chord choices.

SEL-Relationship skills. The students will practice communicating effectively through the decision-making process of creating their song. They will practice and develop positive relationships with peers by working in a small group.

How 

Part 1: Ukulele (Full Group Work)

·  The students will tune their ukuleles independently, with a partner, and then as a full group with the instructor.

·  The students will review the C Major, F Major, and G Major chords in the full group setting. Students can place color coded stickers on their ukulele that coordinate to the chart if they like.

Part 2: Body Percussion (Trading 8’s)

·  The students will be given a physical break to move and stretch their body before playing ukulele for an extended time.

·  The teacher will review four levels of body percussion:

o   Stamp

o   Pat

o   Clap

o   Snap

·  The teacher will model creating patterns using the body percussion. The students will begin by first imitating the body percussion patterns. The patterns will last 8 beats long.

·  Next, they will be asked to create their own patterns in response to the teacher’s 8-beat pattern. The teacher and students will take turns alternating the 8-beat percussion pattern.

·  Finally, students will take turns being the leader of the trading 8 activity.

Part 3: Ukulele Chord Progressions (Trading 8's)

·  The students will follow a similar process as the body percussion trading 8’s but with ukulele.

·  Instead of using the body percussion (stamp, pat, clap, snap), the students will create 8-beat patterns using the previously learned ukulele chords (C Major, F Major, G Major, and a minor).

Materials 

·  Ukulele

·  Felt ukulele pick (if needed/wanted for ease in strumming)

·  Color coded stickers for ukulele chords

·  Appropriate space to move with body percussion and play the ukulele