Today the students really progressed! The lesson went as followed.
- I sang "Albuquerque was a Turkey" a few times to introduce them to the song (see below for lyrics).
- I let them play around on their Ukuleles for a few minutes before starting. Letting them get out all of their anxiousness to play eliminated many management problems later on.
- I set behavior expectations and told them about the attention signal I would use.
- I had all of them tune their own Ukuleles with my help. We tuned one string at a time.
- Using a simple chart, I reviewed with them how to read Ukulele chords. I showed them the C chord on the chart and then on my ukulele. I then had them join me in playing the C chord. I then gave them about 2 minutes to play around.
- I used the same procedure to teach the F chord.
- Then I had them practice switching between the C and F chords.
- Together we all played "Albuquerque was a Turkey" a few times.
- Finally, I prepared them for the next few class periods where we will be creating our own instruments by showing them examples of homemade instruments.
Overall I thought the lesson went well. I decided to teach them as a whole class today instead of breaking them into groups. This helped reduce the overall noise and it was more effective. The other game changer I used was an attention signal I learned from another teacher. When I said "Soda Pop" the kids all said "Shhhh" (the sound pop can makes when it opens). I explained that after they say it, they need to be looking up at me with their Ukuleles on their desks in front of them. If the whole class did it quickly, they would get a point. Otherwise I would get the point. At the end of my time with them in a few weeks, I will buy them all a can of soda if they have more points than I do. I thought it might be effective in this particular class, so I decided to try it. I am unsure if I believe in this type of bribery management system, but one thing is for sure-it works! The kids were angels, and I was surprised and pleased at how well the kids responded to it.
The only thing I would change about the lesson is I would have chosen a different song that was more exciting for the kids. Many of them have asked me if we can do a pop song, and I know that a pop song would be more engaging for them. Also, I made the big mistake of teaching them the C and F chords when "Albuquerque was a Turkey" uses the C and G7 chords. Originally when I had planned the lesson I had decided to teach the C, F, and G7 chords; however, I did not have time to teach all of them, and I forgot which ones we needed. I accommodated by telling the kids to just play the C chord. Next time I will be more prepared in that way.
ALBUQUERQUE IS A TURKEY
(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “CLEMENTINE”)
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Albu-querque is a turkey, and he’s feathered and he’s fine,
Albuquerque is a turkey, and he’s absolutely mine.
He’s the best pet you can get yet, better than a dog or cat,
And he wobbles and he gobbles, and he’s awfully proud of that.
Albuquerque is a turkey, and he’s happy in his bed,
Because for Thanks...giving dinner, we eat egg foo yung in-stead!
