Title: Exploring Musical Instruments of the Orchestra
By: Natalie Babiak
Grade: 9-12
Objectives:
1. Students
will gain knowledge about the orchestra and its seating arrangement.
2. Students
will identify orchestral instruments and their sounds.
3. Students
will demonstrate knowledge of the use of the computer and internet.
Purpose:
The goals and
objectives of this lesson can be met in either the computer lab or a one
computer classroom. This lesson is designed to promote Core Curriculum Content
Standards and the National Standards in the Arts, Technology and Language Arts
Literacy.
Materials:
Computer(s)
with internet access, CD of Microsoft Musical Instruments or Sibelius
Instruments, CD of Rossini¹s William Tell Overture, worksheet, questionnaire and pencil.
Anticipatory Set:
The William
Tell Overture will be playing as
students enter class. The following instructions will be placed on the
blackboard:
1. Please
take worksheet (prepared by teacher).
2. Answer
questions on worksheet in section ³A² as you listen to The William Tell
Overture.
Procedure:
1. Students
will complete worksheet.
2. Discussion
will follow, using worksheet as guide.
3. Students
will be guided to computer(s) along with questionnaire and pencil. As the
students discover the various instruments and their sounds, they will be asked
to complete questions regarding the four families of the orchestra.
Student Understanding:
Have students
tell you at least 5 new things they have learned from this lesson. Replay an
excerpt from The William Tell Overture
and have students respond again to the questions on the worksheet in section
³B². These worksheets will be turned in and used for assessment.
Closure:
Students will
discuss how they can differentiate the various instruments and how the timbre
of these instruments affects musical compositions.
Extensions:
Students can
reinforce their knowledge of musical instruments by making an ³Orchestra²
crossword puzzle using www.puzzle-maker.com.
Students can
search for websites about instruments and orchestras such as The Guide to
Symphony Orchestra Instruments @ www.mathics.duq.edu
or Musical Instrument Chart @ www.dsokids.com/2001/instrumentchart.htm.
Worksheet
Name:_______________________________________
1. Does
this piece sound like it is played with a large band or orchestra; or does it
sound like an electronic performance (keyboards, computers, etc.)?
A. B.
2. What instruments do
you hear in this piece?
A. B.
3. Is
a particular mood suggested by the instrumentation of this piece? If so, what
is it?
A. B.
4. What
are some of the visual images that come to your mind as you listen to this
piece?
A. B.
Questionnaire
Name:_______________________________
1. Name
the four families of the orchestra.
2. What
is the highest instrument in the woodwind family?
3. To
what family does the French Horn belong to?
4. How
many double reeded instruments are there? Name them.
5. Name
the instruments in the string family from highest to lowest.
6. What
is the lowest instrument in the whole orchestra?
7. The
percussion section is divided into two types of instruments, what are they?
8. How
many instruments are in the Woodwind family? Can you name them?
9. What
instrument is played using a slide? What family does it belong to?
10. Draw and
label a seating arrangement of an orchestra.