Lesson Plan

Classroom Setting:
This is a Lynhurst 8th grade orchestra. At Lynhurst, they follow block schedule, and
each orchestra is split into three classes (three classes for 8 th grade orchestra and
three classes for 7th grade orchestra, six classes total). This is the biggest class of
three, but this class does not have any bass player. Majority of the students do not
take lessons and they all started last year as a 7 th grade. All first violins understand
the concept of shifting to third position and cellos also understand the concept, but
it is fairly new to them. Students understand subdivision for some complicated
rhythms, and understand where in the subdivision they play their part (especially in
Call Me Maybe)
Objectives:
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to play Blazing Bows of the West and
Call Me Maybe with better intonation and more secured rhythm. Students will also
be reinforced to subdivide, as well as understanding the differences between low,
tape, or high notes. Students will also be able to understand where on their
instrument they place their finger to make notes more in tune, as well as how they
should listen for their intonation.
Materials:
Violin
Tuners
Metronome
Music for Blazing Bows of the West and Call Me Maybe
Procedures:
1. Tune; students use tuners to tune their instruments. Students have two
minutes to tune and they may ask for help with me or Mrs. Vance if they are
having difficulties.
2. Warm-up; G Major scale. Have students play G Major scale with metronome,
and students will get to pick the tempo. Remind them how much bow they
should use each time.
3. Blazing Bows of the West; ask students to go to mm. 4. Ask first violins to
hold C-natural (on A string), F-natural (on D string), and C-natural (on G
string). Ensure that all these notes are in tune. Break down to smaller section
to fix the intonation if needed. Have everyone play from beginning until mm.
16.
4. Explain to violas about Bb and B-natural in mm. 22 and 23, then have them
hold Bb and B-natural simultaneously. Then, have them play from mm. 22
until 23. Have everyone else join and play from mm. 16.
5. Go to mm. 84, and explain to violas about C# and C-natural, have them hold
the notes, then play from mm. 84. Everyone else will join, but cellos will clap
their rhythm while firsts, seconds, violas, and basses play as written. After

having cellos clap and they master the rhythm, have them play with the
orchestra as written.
6. Go to mm. 100, and have first violins play G, A, and B (on E string) to ensure
the intonation. Have first violins play from mm. 100 slowly, then have them
play in tempo.
7. Play through Blazing Bows of the West from the beginning.
8. Call Me Maybe; have students count the subdivision, then have them play the
rhythm in mm. 15 on open D string while the instructor subdivides. Have
students play their part as written from mm. 15 until 31.
9. Go to coda, and explain how the instructor will be conducting especially in
mm. 49. Sing and conduct (sing separately for seconds and the rest of the
orchestra), then have students sing their part while the instructor is
conducting. Play from mm. 48.
10.Run through Call Me Maybe.
11.Run through Everything Is Awesome, if there is time.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed primarily on intonation in Blazing Bows of the West and
primarily on accuracy of the rhythms in Call Me Maybe. I will be assessing mostly
when students run through each piece, ensuring that all students remember and
correct their intonation problems.