The Shape and Story of a Melody

Lesson Plan • Unit 2, Lesson 5

Duration: 30 Minutes

Grade: 2nd Grade Music

Objective

Students will be able to visualize and describe the "contour" (shape) of a melody, identifying if it moves by step, skip, or leap.

Key Concepts

Melodic Contour
Ascending (Going Up)
Descending (Going Down)
Step, Skip, Leap

Materials Needed

1
The Shape of a Song Slides
2
Melody Mountain Worksheet
3
Yarn or Pipe Cleaners (Activity)

Instructional Arc

05'

Warm-up: Vocal Siren

Use your hand to draw shapes in the air (circles, zig-zags, mountains). Students use their voices to follow the height of your hand on a "wheee" sound. Introduce the word Contour.

08'

Concept: Steps, Skips, and Leaps

Use the slide deck to show how notes move.
Step: Moving to the very next neighbor.
Skip: Jumping over one note.
Leap: A big jump! (Show visual of stairs vs. jumping).

10'

Activity: Yarn Contours

In small groups, play a simple 4-note melody. Students must use a long piece of yarn or a pipe cleaner to "draw" the shape they heard on their desk. Check for high and low points.

07'

Practice: Melody Mountain

Students complete the worksheet, identifying the shapes of different printed melodies and drawing their own "melodic mountain."

Assessment & Differentiation

Check for Understanding

Can students hear a "leap"? Play a very high note then a very low note. Ask: "Was that a step or a leap?"

Differentiation

Support: Focus only on "Going Up" vs "Going Down" before introducing steps/skips.
Challenge: Identify the specific solfege notes (S-M-L) that created the shape.

The Shape and Story of a Melody

Melody Shapes Lesson Plan

The Shape of a Song Slides

Melody Mountain Worksheet

Contour Creator Activity Guide