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Jesus Insuasty-Bastidas
Chrome Music Lab & Math
Chrome Music Lab & Math
Chrome Music Lab is a website that makes the musical language more accessible through fun, hands-on experiments.
In this project, I wanted to develop a learning experience where students explore the connections between mathematics and music using the Chrome music lab. The goal is for students to solve previously generated mathematical expressions with automaticity which numerical relationships amongst them will represent a popular melody when plotted in a pitch grid. The project and exemplars are targeted to student 2-5th grade however it can be modified to include more advanced mathematical processes and other content areas.
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Students will be able to recall basic facts to add and subtract within 20 with automaticity, locate the position of a given whole number on a [pitch grid] and create rhythmic and melodic phrases using predetermined known pitches. In addition to this, students will practice their counting skills, inputting and interpreting information on a table as well as associate higher and lower numeric values and their direct relationship to pitch.
How does it work
How does it work
Materials:
Chrome Music Lab (CML) - Songmaker template of desired song (digital link).
Math operations slides to share with students (paper or digital)
Operation/solution spreadsheet and completed template (optional)
Steps
Teachers can activate prior knowledge of Chrome music lab as is commonly used in their music class. Ask the students to share if music class is easy or difficult, ask the same question about the math class.
Teacher explains there is a mystery melody which can be discovered and completed by solving mathematical problems and plugging in the resulting value in the Chrome Music Lab-Songmaker application. Explain the following rules
The bottom line has a value of zero, any operation resulting in zero means an empty column.
The first row as 1, second as 2 and so on.
Students need to associate lower numerical values with lower pitch in the melody (use TPR).
Display and help student solve the first 4 mathematical problems. Write/type them on the slide.
Open the Song template and play the empty version. Count aloud with the students the resulting number of rows and click on the corresponding space/note. Remind students a value of zero means an empty column. Do this for the first 4 columns. Have the student enter the notes on their own template.
Students in groups collaborate, solve and share all answers to the mathematical expressions. Students will enter their answers in the Songmaker grid, completing their own song (Students must save their work using the button at the bottom-right of the screen).
The teacher will choose a student and share their completed version of the song with the class. Ask for feedback from other students to correct mathematical or input errors.
Resources
Resources
Here is a list of solved/template song templates with their corresponding solving spreadsheet . These songs were chosen using teacher and student input.
Some songs are not possible to transcribe into the app as it is an experimental project and as such has some limitations (see feedback/requests section).
You can develop the mathematical operations that will result on the required value to match the completed song. You can also share this solution template with your students and have them develop operation that result in this number and share these with a different class for them to discover the mystery song.
Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks
Build up the mystery song as a challenge sent to the students by the school music teacher or math specialist.
Use Total Physical response to reinforce the concept of higher value=higher pitch, lower value=lower pitch.
Count out loud with the students when demonstrating how to enter the resulting values on the song template.
Students will quickly realize they can count the difference in value between one note and the next, thus further reinforcing the math-music relationship involved.
Most students will notice errors in the song when played aloud. Encourage students to use headphones and follow along with their slide to find and fix errors.
Once students have practiced with simple songs/melodies you can have them work on projects independently or in groups during stations.
Beyond Math - RLA, SS and Science
Beyond Math - RLA, SS and Science
Incorporating other content areas is possible ether using the color palette or numbers to specific concepts or words.
e.g.
Sentence frames to practice the use of prepositions of place where each preposition has a color corresponding to the songmaker color palette.
Identify sensory language in a text, assign a color to each sense and write the corresponding melody in a pentatonic scale with random rhythm. (Exemplar)
Additional examples will be developed based on requests/rate of implementation
Additional resources, support and song requests
Additional resources, support and song requests
Google has collected many examples of creative uses of Chrome music lab in the classroom in this collection of Tweets.
Do you want to try this with your students? need additional support? Drop me a line. I would be happy to assist you and provide further information.
Jesus Insuasty-Bastidas - jesusinsuastybasti@pisd.edu
Song requests: Do you have a particular song you would like to have a template for? Please complete this short google form and let me know which song you would like to engage your students with. I will collaborate with music teachers in the district to fulfill your request.
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