Composition Task Mini Unit by Jordan Buma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk A small sequence of lesson plan ideas that could be useful in constructing your own mini unit for a grade 10 music class, with links to the Australian Curriculum. This unit is inspired by the integration of quality ICTs in the classroom that operate in the Modification and Redefinition levels of the SAMR Model en-us 2022-05-19 00:33:20 UTC 2022-05-20 02:05:47 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f399.png Mixcraft - Paid DAW jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190358943 2022-05-19 00:47:42 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190358943 Sequence 1 Intro jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190359256 The first step in this lesson sequence is an introductory and preemptive tech support lesson in which an overview of the mini unit will be described.

The unit involves students researching different retro genres between the 70s and 90s and culminates with the creation of an original composition that is inspired by one of the genres that they have researched.

The final product will need to be submitted as an MP3 or WAV file and created through a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
It is already possible that your school has access to their own DAWs either on school devices or BYODs, but if not, there are a variety of free solutions available. Two of the schools that I have worked at previously both Used Mixcraft as part of the music program, so while my DAW will reference that program, the mini unit will be transferable to your DAW of choice! ]]> 2022-05-19 00:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190359256 Ableton - Free DAW jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190360226 2022-05-19 00:48:47 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190360226 Waveform - Free DAW jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190361344 2022-05-19 00:49:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190361344 Sequence 1 - Continued jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190365501 Once you have settled on the DAW of choice, it is imperative to become familiar and fluent with it as soon as possible. The first stage should be for all students to either download and open their new DAW. The gradual release of responsibility is a great model for this one, as you can show the students their start up process on a projector or whiteboard first, then have them repeat the process with you.
This process should involve setting the Project Key, Tempo and Time Signature, and showing the students how to change the system preferences to select the correct track input and setting the track latency.
Be patient with this step as it will take the longest. By doing it first we don't need to rush anything later in the mini unit by having most of the issues and kinks already ironed out.

After showing students how to set the program up, do a live demonstration of setting up an instrument track, recording the instrument, playing back the recording, adding a VST track and recording a virtual instrument part, and exporting the project to an MP3

If you have a curated collection of resources consider sharing it electronically with your students in a padlet like this one]]> 2022-05-19 00:52:59 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190365501 Sequence 1 Links to curriculum jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190374702 Manipulate combinations of the elements of music in a range of styles, using technology and notation (ACAMUM100 )

Evaluate a range of music and compositions to inform and refine their own compositions and performances (ACAMUR104)]]> 2022-05-19 01:00:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190374702 Sequence 2 - Exploring retro music jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190380866 This part of the unit should take at least 2 separate lessons, but can be expanded upon if there is time available.

In this sequence, students will explore different genres from the 70s through to the 90s.

Each decade should give broad examples of genres, but contain specific and explicit references to the Elements of music.

For example, you might focus on the elements of Pitch, Duration and Expressive Devices. In each genre's example, make sure that the same concept can be explained so students are able to compare and contrast. So in the 70s, you might go into some depth of Duration by exploring the concept of Rhythm. Make sure that every example explored in that genre highlights and analyses the composers use of Rhythm.

In each learning sequence, students should make notes on the the way elements of music were used to communicate the genre. This can be in a table form and will be very helpful in the next sequence of the unit.

Consider also how you might share the examples with the students. In addition to showing some brief examples in class, a padlet could be used. This curation could include multiple examples from each genre and should be set up so students can add their own examples from their independent research and comment on others examples with the uses of the elements of music that they can identify


]]> 2022-05-19 01:05:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190380866 Sequence 2 - 70s Music jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190388460 Here are some possible genres to look at from the 70s. Make sure to make this personal to both yourself and the students. If they can provide an example that they like, we can easily increase their engagement. Feel free to add any suggestions to the comments below and help out your fellow teachers with examples that they may not have thought of!

Disco
September

Progressive Rock
Carry on my Wayward Son

]]> 2022-05-19 01:11:05 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190388460 Sequence 2 - 80s Music jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190392365 Here are some possible genres to look at from the 80s. Make sure to make this personal to both yourself and the students. If they can provide an example that they like, we can easily increase their engagement. Feel free to add any suggestions to the comments below and help out your fellow teachers with examples that they may not have thought of!

Synth Pop
Take on Me

Glam Rock
Were Not Gonna Take It]]> 2022-05-19 01:14:12 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190392365 Sequence 2 - 90s Music jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190406499 Here are some possible genres to look at from the 90s. Make sure to make this personal to both yourself and the students. If they can provide an example that they like, we can easily increase their engagement. Feel free to add any suggestions to the comments below and help out your fellow teachers with examples that they may not have thought of!

Pop
Mmmbop

Grunge
Smells Like Teen Spirit]]> 2022-05-19 01:24:11 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190406499 Sequence 2 Links to Curriculum jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190415566 Analyse a range of music from contemporary and past times to explore differing viewpoints and enrich their music making, starting with Australian music,including music of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consider music in international contexts (ACAMUR105)

Evaluate a range of music and compositions to inform and refine their own compositions and performances (ACAMUR104)
 

]]> 2022-05-19 01:30:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190415566 Sequence 3 - Compositions jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190422238 It is now that students should start to put into practice what they have researched. 
By deciding on a genre that they have looked at in the previous sequence, students are to begin their own composition by manipulating the elements of music that they have studied and using the table that they have created.

The composition doesn't need to be long, but should aim to be 60 to 90 seconds in length]]> 2022-05-19 01:35:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190422238 Sequence 3 Links to Curriculum jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190427198 Improvise and arrange music, using aural recognition of texture, dynamics and expression to manipulate the elements of music to explore personal style in composition and performance (ACAMUM099)

Manipulate combinations of the elements of music in a range of styles, using technology and notation (ACAMUM100)

Plan and organise compositions with an understanding of style and convention, including drawing upon Australian music by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists (ACAMUM102)

Evaluate a range of music and compositions to inform and refine their own compositions and performances (ACAMUR104)]]> 2022-05-19 01:39:04 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190427198 Sequence 4 - Recording jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190434602 This last sequence of the mini unit involves the recording of the composition using a DAW.

In this, students should both record live instruments and utilize VSTs (a virtual instrument), a staple of each and every DAW available.

Students will need to make judgements about the use of VSTs and how their Timbre supports the main ideas recorded with their live instruments. For example, if a student was writing a 90s pop piece, it would not be appropriate to use a VST of an electric guitar with heavy distortion.

The use of the DAW allows students to hear back their finished product critically, making changes and alterations to the arrangement and instrument choice]]> 2022-05-19 01:44:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190434602 Sequence 4 Links to Curriculum jordanbuma https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190436135 Manipulate combinations of the elements of music in a range of styles, using technology and notation (ACAMUM100)

Improvise and arrange music, using aural recognition of texture, dynamics and expression to manipulate the elements of music to explore personal style in composition and performance (ACAMUM099)]]> 2022-05-19 01:45:30 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanbuma/q87mh1upnbmgpwxk/wish/2190436135