Experience design:

Summary/Overview​​:

This experience will take place at the Harvest Festival in Harrisonburg, VA. The purpose is to
learn more about the ukulele and to explore and create music. This experience is open to whomever may
want to join. This will be a fun and engaging activity, where students will develop skills that they can take
home to continue their learning! We will teach students simple songs that they would love to hear.

Rationale:
This experience matters as children should have a space to experiment and learn about music.
This free experience will teach future teachers about the general student population and how to teach
them about music. The ukulele is also a fun instrument to teach students how to play! Experiences like
this should be memorable, especially if this is the first time a student has played the ukulele.

Standards:
● VA 2.3 I can play different types of pitched and non-pitched instruments alone and with others
○ I can play melodic patterns that move up, down, and stay the same.
○ I can play with expression, using dynamics and tempo.
○ I can accompany songs and chants by using ostinatos and single chords.
○ I can use proper playing techniques.

● VA K.13 I can express personal feelings evoked by a musical experience

I Can Statements:
● I can play simple chords to a tune, along with a simple strumming pattern.
● I can find chords on the ukulele by looking at the chord charts given.
● I can sing and play while expressing emotion.

Materials and Visual Aids​​:

● Ukuleles
● Projector
● Projector screen
● Laptop with powerpoint
● Chairs
● Handouts

Detailed process​​:
 As there are so many students, teachers should be put into small groups and then rotate after 5
minutes. The first rotation, however, should be longer to include step 2 and 3. After the first rotation,
teachers will teach chords in their assigned songs.

1) Ice breaker- introducing all of the teachers and explaining the purpose of the event.

2) Definition of chords and how they are used in music. A powerpoint slide will show an example of
what a chord is. One of the teachers will play a chord on the ukulele to show the students.
Teachers will then explain that when chords are put together, they help create music. The teachers
will then play chords in this order: CM, GM, CM.

3) A powerpoint slide with an easy children’s song will show up on the screen. Teacher will teach
the chords by showing which finger goes on which fret. Teacher can then also show the proper
strumming technique. Teacher will lead students chord at a time. For example, teacher will play a
CM chord, then students will play a CM chord. Teacher will play a GM chord, and then the
students will play a GM chord. Time between chords should be shortened time after time until
there is hardly any time in between

4) Students will then play the chords of the song all together while saying the names of each chord
as they play them.

5) The teacher will sing the melody while playing along with the ukulele and the students will sing
the melody back without playing ukulele. Once the students have sung through the whole melody,
the teacher will show where to play each chord, using the powerpoint as a guide.

6) The teacher and students will sing through the melody while playing each chord, helping
individual students if they need it. They will do this twice, with time for questions in between.

7) The teacher will demonstrate the strumming pattern for the song and indicate that the students
should copy the action. The teacher will address any questions or individual issues with the
strumming pattern at this time.

8) The teacher will sing and play through the melody while strumming with the proper
strumming pattern. The students are welcome to join in, but if they don’t, they’ll have a chance to
once the teacher is done demonstrating.

9) The students and the teacher will sing and play through the melody while using the strumming
pattern.

10) The students will sing and play through the melody while using the strumming pattern on their
own.

Assessment: Checklist/Rubric/Questions
 ● Checklists
○ __ : The student held the ukulele correctly
○ __ : The student was able to play the chords the teacher demonstrated
○ __ : The student could strum both up and down steadily
○ __ : The student was able to sing while playing the ukulele

● Rubrics
○ 1/5: Student has difficulty holding the ukulele in a way that doesn’t impede their ability
to play and has difficulty strumming. They have a hard time singing a melody while
playing.
○ 2/5:​ ​Student holds the ukulele with noticeable issues that impede their playing and can
strum and play some chords some of the time. They can sometimes sing a melody while
playing.
○ 3/5: Student holds the ukulele in a way that sometimes impedes their playing and can
strum and play chords some of the time. They can usually sing a melody while playing,
but sometimes have issues with steadiness.
○ 4/5: Student holds the ukulele in a way that rarely impedes their playing and can strum
and play chords most of the time. They can almost always sing a melody while playing.
○ 5/5: Student holds the ukulele in a way that almost never impedes their playing and can
strum and play chords almost all of the time. They can always sing a melody while
playing.

● Follow up questions:
○ Can you hold and strum the ukulele?
○ Can you play the chords that the teacher showed?
○ Can you sing while playing?
○ Did you have fun?
○ Did you sing or dance along to the music?
○ What can you take with you after you leave today?

Extensions:
● Teach students another simple chord, such as Am or FM, on the ukulele that could fit into another
short song, or with the song they have just learned
● Experiment with different strumming patterns throughout the song
● Add more improvisation to let the students have more freedom musically
● Ask if any student would like to play for the group what they have just learned to play!

Adaptations:
● Size: ​If some learners have smaller fingers, guide them towards the best way to correctly place
the chords for their hand size. For example, If they can’t play a specific chord, like GM, show
them the best way to place their hands to approach it.
● Color: ​Place different color stickers on places of the ukulele so that they know where to place
their hands. Or, place the same colors on the ukulele as the chords that will be shown on the
board.
● Pacing:​​ ​Wind the experience back: solidify each chord of the song until everyone is on the same
page. This is better than one person working with them so the student doesn't feel left alone.
● Modality: ​Instruct learners on what to play by showing them on our own instrument, showing
them on a screen with chord charts, and/or telling learners which fingers to put where. These
options offer learning visually (by showing learners what to do), auditorily (by letting them listen
first and then respond), and kinesthetically (by physically making learners move in ways that will
help them play and sing at the same time). The handout also offers a way for parents and students
to be able to play what they learn here, at home!