Lesson Plans Page
Print this Lesson PDF (65 KB)

Lesson 020

Objectives:
* Students will learn about time signatures and how they are used in music.
* Students will complete a quiz about time signatures on our website.
* To complete one or two pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Level 1A (varies based on student level).

Materials:
Alfred 1A Piano Books, keyboards and related equipment, computers with our website posted, video / projection equipment, worksheet ‘Time Signatures’ (From Theory Worksheets for Beginning Bands).
 
Procedures:
1) Introduce time signatures to students as previously explained on page 21 of the Alfred Basic Piano Library 1A Books.

2) Complete the worksheet ‘Time Signatures’ (From Theory Worksheets for Beginning Bands) in class. Explain the difference between the top and bottom numbers in the time sign.

3) Students will play the ‘Going Nuts Over Time Signs’ quiz on our website. (Going Nuts Over Time Signs) Time signs included are 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 2/2, 3/8, 5/8, 6/8.

4) Complete various pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Library Book 1 based on individual student progress. Record (digital camera) some of the students and post it immediately using the projector for review and feedback.

5) If time allows, students may play some of the other quizzes on our website related to time signatures.

Ask students to notice...
* Is it easier to count the beats when you see a 4 as the bottom number on the time sign? Why?
* What are the ‘standard’ time signs that are used most at the elementary level? (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)

Evaluation…
* Students successfully identify various time signs and can demonstrate the understanding by clapping the rhythms for each time sign (4/4 time, clapping and counting ‘1,2,3,4’).
* Students complete the ‘Going Nuts Over Time Signs’ quiz on our website and receive a score of 80 or higher.
* Students complete the assigned pages in the Alfred Basic Piano Book.

Lesson Plans Page