Choir Exchange

Introduction

A partnership between elementary aged choirs of an urban inner city school and a suburban area school promotes a new cultural awareness. A school visitation at each location includes a joint choir concert, tour of the host school facility, sack lunch with choir pals and any other joint activity that time allows. Some suggestions for joint activities include:

• viewing the World's Largest Concert (as produced by the Music Educators National Conference)
• meeting family farm animals (rural school)
• learning simple folk dances together
• recess on the host playground
• written folder activities such as school word search or map scavenger hunt
• exchange school mementos, such as school peechees or pencils

The joint concert features each school for two or three songs sung individually, then several joint numbers in which the choirs merge together. This helps to meet Colorado Music Standards.

1) Students sing or play on instruments a varied repertoire of music, alone or with others; and 2) students will read and notate music. (See MENC for National Music Standards.

The exchange day can take place in one day at both locations, or separate days for each location. This will depend on how teachers wish to structure the exchange.

Objective

This lesson will introduce the two choirs by using school web pages on the Internet. The grade levels for choir members are fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. If schedules allow at both schools, two or three questions sent as a live chat would be ideal (Teachers could arrange to be available or have Choir representatives to answer questions if choirs do not meet at the same time). Expected time for the lesson is 10-15 minutes, 20 if a live chat is involved.

Rationale for using the Internet

1. Because elementary choirs often are very large, the use of the Internet allows a presentation to all members, rather than relying on photos to be passed around which wastes valuable rehearsal time.

2. Students can then do their own research about the other school outside of rehearsal time. This allows greater flexibility because the research could be done in the classroom, school library, public library, or at home rather than having to view photos that are only in the music room. This also allows classroom teachers and parents to be involved if so desired.

3. The research will establish a basis for communication to the new school and for individual Key Pals as the project continues. By communicating as Key Pals before the exchange takes place, students begin to establish a relationship and help to "break the ice" for the actual meeting that will take place with the choir partner. This is crucial for helping to ensure success of the choir exchange, since partners will take part in the day's activities together (such as touring the schools together).

4. Connecting the two schools in real time allows for sending questions via a live chat. This should generate some real excitement and anticipation for students about the choir exchange.

Materials

Computer hook-up to the Internet.
A projection system for large group viewing from the computer.
School web pages

Procedure

Introduce the new school by viewing its home page on the Internet. Describe a little about the school and about the exchange that will take place. Visit one alternate page in the site to find a new fact about the school, such as the name of the principal. Send two or three questions as a live chat to the host school (e.g. "What are your school colors, Do you have a school song?") Post the web address and give the assignment for students to do further research before the next choir rehearsal.

Assessment

Students are able to complete four questions about the partner school:

1. What is something that is the same as my own school?
2. What is something that is different from my own school?
3. One question I'd like to ask anyone from the partner school.
4. One question I plan to ask my keypal about going to this school.

Rubric:

4=Exceeding the standard. More than four questions generated.
3=Meeting the standard. Four questions answered.
2=Progressing. Numbers one and two answered.
1=Needs improvement. Numbers one and two need to be answered.

These questions will be compiled and used to send a choir letter to the partner choir.

Possible Extension Activities

Establish Key Pals for e-mail between choir partners (see Penpal Letter).
Send e-mail letters from the principals to each choir.
Use facts about the partner school for lessons in the academic classroom such as:

• learning math by comparing playground measurements
• cultural awareness by exchanging family backgrounds
• comparing lunch menus for a language arts lesson in writing recipes

Expand the choir exchange to a school exchange by academic classrooms establishing Key Pal partnerships with each other.

Send other e-mail between choirs throughout the year such as:

• compare choir concerts
• send a list of favorite choir songs (Choir Hit Parade)
• expand to e-mail about music class activities

KEY PAL (PEN PAL) LETTER

Dear Key Pal,

1. My name is

My grade is

2. My family includes

3. Pets I have at home are

4. You might like to know that my house

5. What I like best about my room is

6. What I don't like about my room is

7. My favorite subject in school is

8. My favorite food is

9. The kind of music I like is

10. My favorite song is

11. My favorite choir song is

12. Something I like to do in music class is

13. The kinds of books I like to read are

14. My favorite book is

15. Other things I'd like to tell you.......

Sincerely,
 
 

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Last Update: 2/24/09