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

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Pizza, music and kids... what could be better? Students combine all three with this popular and fun-filled music lesson plan, Pizza Man, Pizza Man.

Level

Grade 2-4

Objective

Students will compose in groups with simple rhythms/pizza toppings to complete the Pizza Man, Pizza Man rap, and then perform their piece with non-pitched percussion instruments. This lesson is designed to fulfill Standard #4 of the National Standards for Music: Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines, and Standard #8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

Materials

Pizza Man, Pizza Man | Music Composition Worksheet
Pencils
Non-Pitched Percussion Instruments


'Pizza Man, Pizza Man' 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 Pizza Man, Pizza Man worksheet on the whiteboard and clap them with the class. Review the rhythms by asking individual students to clap them.

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, and 3) Sit with your group."

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 works best. Connect the dots. Continue in the same way for the rest of the pizza toppings." Younger classes may benefit by having you speak the pizza toppings one at a time as a class, and more closely guide the rhythm selection.

Step 6
Tell students, "Let's check your work." Show students the correct answers from 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 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 and 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 two staves of your worksheet." Teach the rap in two measure groups until students are proficient. 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.

Step 11
Perform for the homeroom teacher.


Extension

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


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