Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear

• Michelle Brinkman
• Posted 3/7/22
• 0 comments

Rhythm Compositions

Suggested Grades: K-2 

National Core Arts Standards 

#1 – Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. 

Objectives 

• Create a rhythm using text and Elemental Building Bricks. 
• Create a body percussion piece. 

Materials  

• Book: Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear  by Emily Gravett 
• Worksheet

History

Carl Orff and his associate, Gunild Keetman, developed the Orff-Schulwerk approach to teaching music in Germany during the 1920s. It is an active music-making approach in which children learn musical behavior by creating, listening, analyzing, and performing through speech, singing, movement, body percussion, and instruments. The Orff approach teaches musical skills and concepts through a four-stage learning process: imitation, exploration, literacy, and improvisation.  

Lesson Overview

This lesson uses the children’s book Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear by Emily Gravett and a jumping-off point for composing with quarter and eighth notes.  Students identify rhythms and create eight beat patterns.  

Suggested Teaching Process

1. Read Orange, Pear, Apple, Bear by Emily Gravett. 

2. Ask students to identify the four words used to tell the whole story 

3. Speak/Clap each word and ask students to echo. 

4. Identify which words have two syllables and which have one. 

5. Identify the rhythms of each word – quarter note and paired eighth notes. 

6. Play with echo patterns – first using two words. 

7. Continue echoing patterns using four words. 

8. Demonstrate how students create their rhythm composition using these four words. 

9. Students create their patterns on the worksheet.   

Teacher Note: Depending on the grade level, encourage students to use rhythmic notation, write the words, or use a pictorial representation. 

Online Extension

Students create their compositions on a Google Slide.