Pizza Man, Pizza Man | Free Music Lesson Plan (Composition)

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Ask students, "Who knows what a composer does? Correct. A composer organizes the sound and silence in music. Who thinks they are old enough to be a composer? You’re right. Mozart was writing music at age four!"

Step 2
Tell students, "Today we will be composing our own music to complete a rap called 'Pizza Man, Pizza Man.' The first part is already composed. Your job is to finish it."

Step 3
Tell students, "Before we begin, we need to review a few rhythms." Write the rhythms from the worksheet on the whiteboard and clap them with the class. Review the rhythms by asking individual students to clap them back to you.

Step 4
Tell students, "For this activity, you’ll work in groups of two or three. I want you to do three things:

1) Get a worksheet and pencil for yourself
2) Find a group to join
3) Sit with your group

You have 10 seconds. Go!

Step 5
Tell students, "At the top of your worksheet, there is a connect-the-dot activity. As a group, speak the pizza toppings to the rhythms opposite the pizza toppings to figure out which one is a perfect match. Connect the dots. Continue in the same way for the rest of the toppings." Guide the rhythm selection for younger classes.

Step 6
Tell students, "Let's check your work." Show students the correct answers on the whiteboard.

Step 7
Tell students, "We just completed the first part of composing a piece. We combined rhythms and lyrics to see what worked. The next step is to use these rhythms and lyrics in your rap."

Step 8
Tell students, "Let's learn the first part of the 'Pizza Man, Pizza Man' rap. Then I'll give you ten minutes to complete the rap with your group. Figure out what order the pizza toppings should go in and then write the rhythms and the lyrics on the bottom of your worksheet." Teach the rap in two-measure groups until students have it down. Provide non-pitched percussion instruments to every student. Circulate the classroom to help student groups.

Step 9
Tell students, "Let's hear your compositions! The group with the most impressive composition, performance, and notation will have an opportunity to perform for your homeroom teacher."

Step 10
Listen to each group. Select a winning group and let them perform for their homeroom teacher.

Extension

Students may elect to add a simple ostinato on a bass xylophone or metallophone to their composition for added texture.