Making the Xylophones Sing

Lesson Plan • Unit 2, Lesson 4

Duration: 30 Minutes

Grade: 2nd Grade Music

Objective

Students will be able to transfer So-Mi-La solfege patterns to pitched percussion (xylophones/glockenspiels) and perform with proper mallet technique.

Key Concepts

Mallet Technique ("Bouncing Ball")
Note Location (G, A, E)
Instrument Care
Ensemble Playing

Materials Needed

1
From Voice to Instrument Slides
2
Pitched Percussion (Xylophones/Glocks)
3
Rainbow Song Sheets
4
Instrument Care Guide

Instructional Arc

05'

Technique: The Mallet Bounce

Demonstrate holding mallets "like bicycle handlebars." Practice the "bouncing ball" motion on the floor or a lap. Emphasize a light, springy touch.

08'

Identify: Note Homes

Use the slides to find So, Mi, and La on the instrument.
So = G, Mi = E, La = A. Have students find and point to these bars without playing yet.

10'

Guided Practice: Rainbow Song Sheets

Distribute the song sheets. Students practice playing short S-M-L patterns slowly. Teacher models a pattern, then class echoes. Rotate through different patterns.

07'

Improvisation Cool-down

Give students 30 seconds of "exploring time" using only G, A, and E. Then, practice the proper way to put mallets away (crossed on the bars) to signal the end of playing.

Assessment & Differentiation

Check for Understanding

Are students hitting the center of the bars? Are they letting the mallet bounce back? Watch for "poking" or leaving the mallet on the bar (which deadens the sound).

Differentiation

Support: Remove all bars except G, A, and E to make the target clear.
Challenge: Play with two hands alternating (Left-Right-Left-Right).

Making the Xylophones Sing

Singing Xylophones Lesson Plan

Singing Xylophones Slides

Rainbow Song Sheets Reading

Instrument Care Guide Worksheet