This activity plan is for band directors looking to gradually incorporate Universal Design for Learning in the bandroom. 

The purpose of this activity is to show band directors the effectiveness of creating a lesson plan designed with all students in mind. The theme of this activity is adapting UDL into the bandroom by introducing aspects through a typical ensemble rehearsal. This activity is an ear training exercise for Major and minor chords or scales. Students will receive visual representations, and scales written on the board. They will also use a sheet to write, color, or point to whether they think it is a major or minor chord. An ear piece or microphone should be used for those that may have a hearing disability. 

This activity uses multiple means of representation, and action and expression. The class will be presented in a way that all students will be able to understand, and they can demonstrate their understanding in the way that best suits them.

1. Pass out a piece of paper to each student with the form of a major and minor scale. Along with chords

2. Draw a major and minor chord on the bored, using different colored markers for the scale degrees that are different.

3. Next to the scales on the board draw large boxes. Here the students can assign their own emotions to the scales or draw how they feel for the scale.

4. The director can use these to connect to pieces the ensemble has been working on.

5. Demonstrate each scale and chord on a piano or a recording.

6. Establish an understanding of one type of scale and chord first before moving to the other. 

7. Once all students can identify the scales while pointing out each on the board, have the students label each one.

8. Play each scale with its chord and have each student label them by either pointing to a face on the board, writing down minor or major, or selecting a color of their choice for each to color on the paper.

• A scale sheet for each student.

• A microphone or amplification device.

• Colored white board markers.

• Crayons or markers for the students.

Major and Minor Scale Formulas