Lesson #1 Created by: Daniel Rivera
Presented on 08/04/2026 Manatee County In-Service
This lesson unit is designed as more than a collection of space-themed activities. Using the theme Into the Cosmos, it demonstrates how the Orff-Schulwerk process can be intentionally scaffolded across grade levels, allowing a single concept to grow from simple exploration in the primary grades to sophisticated music-making, movement, improvisation, and composition in the upper elementary years. You will find a carefully sequenced progression of learning that increases both musical rigor and student ownership, illustrating how meaningful artistic understanding develops over time through active, creative engagement.
Lesson #2 Created by: Emma Ruffin
Presented on 08/05/2026 Pinellas County In-Service
Farm (Dogs) Theme | Kindergarten
This lesson uses a Farm theme, with Dogs, to introduce kindergarten students to singing voice, steady beat, and the concepts of sound and silence. Through songs, movement, hand drums, and iconic notation, students connect musical sounds to visual representations. Students then create and perform their own simple rhythmic patterns, building early music literacy through active exploration.
Lesson #3 Created by: Emma Ruffin
Presented on 08/05/2026 Pinellas County In-Service
Elephants Theme | 1st Grade
Using the story of Elmer and musical listening experiences, students discover how instruments have unique timbres. Through hands-on activities and a game, students identify instruments by sound and learn the difference between pitched and unpitched instruments. The lesson strengthens listening skills while encouraging students to describe what they hear!
Lesson #4 Created by: Emma Ruffin
Presented on 08/05/2026 Pinellas County In-Service
Dinosaur Theme | 2nd/3rd Grade
Heading back in time with the Dinosaurs, students explore musical form, accompaniments, and pentatonic improvisation. They analyze form through movement with tennis balls, read “Dinosailors” by Deb Lund, perform a song with an instrumental accompaniment, and create original melodic ideas based on rhythmic patterns. The lesson provides a bridge from musical literacy to improvisation.