Classroom Music Lesson Plan

Phase Lesson
Instructor: Joshua Acampado Grade 8

1. Learning Goals
a. Behavioral; By the end of the lesson, students will be able to recall the
attributes of rhythmic phase music with a success rate of 80%
b. Cognitive; Students will be able to explain how to create proper shift for
phase music
c. Experiential; Students will create a 4 shift phase music composition
2. Focusing Question
a. In what ways can we engage our students through composition in the style
of 20th Century music?
3. Materials
a. Teacher;
i. Powerpoint Presentation
ii. Video Links (imbedded in the powerpoint)
1. Gamecube start up
2. Clapping music video
3. Piano Phase
iii. Smartboard
iv. Noteflight
1. Phase Lesson Example
2. Phase Lesson template (extended)
3. Phase Lesson template (first shift only)
b. Student
i. Pencil (which they bring)
ii. Worksheet (provided)
4. Process
a. Introduction (Partner)
i. Students will be asked to watch a video of Gamecube startup 4
million times
1. Focusing question while watching the video; What is
happening?
2. Lead a discussion
ii. Students will watch a performance of Clapping Music
1. Ask the students to compare the two videos
2. Floor opens for discussion
a. Looking for answers where students say;
i. Its the same thing,
 ii. Played at different sections
iii. Played overtop of itself
b. Present
i. Label what we are doing
1. Its Phase Music!
a. Typically one melodic/rhythmic idea, offset
i. Continuously
ii. Sectionally
2. Picture a swing
a. Teacher uses physical example of swinging arms
3. Just slightly offset
ii. Talk about Steve Reich
1. 20th century composer
a. Pioneer of phase music
b. Physically cut tapes
c. Play tracks at the same time on different machines
iii. Transition into Clapping Music
1. At its core, phase music is about the offset in rhythm
2. Split class in half
a. One class claps the given rhythm with an added rest
b. One class claps the given rhythm continuously
3. Move to the smartboard
a. Show how the two rhythms are the same, just off set
c. Personalize
i. Distribute worksheets amongst tables
ii. Writing New Phase Rhythms
1. Demonstrate on the board as we go along
2. Perimeters
a. 8 beats
b. Only 8th notes
i. Single
ii. Double
iii. Triple
1. Must use two different groupings
c. One rest between notes
i. Must end with a rest
d. Present
i. Show the example that was previously created
ii. Once youre done with all 4, group by group will come up to the
board to put 2 bars of their rhythm up
1. If one group is ahead, time permitting, allow them to set up
all 4 bars [extension]