Lesson Plan: Characteristics of 20th Century Music

Grade: 10 Subject: Music

Introduction: - Begin the lesson by playing a short piece of classical music from the 19th century. - Ask students if they notice any differences in the style or sound compared to modern music. - Explain that today’s lesson will focus on the characteristics of 20th century music and how it differs from previous eras.

Motivation: - Show a video clip of a popular 20th century song and ask students to discuss what they notice about the music, lyrics, and overall style. - Engage students in a class discussion about their favorite genres of music and why they enjoy them. - Explain that understanding the characteristics of 20th century music will help them appreciate and analyze different styles of music.

Lesson Outline:

1. Introduction to 20th Century Music (10 minutes) - Define the 20th century as the period from 1900 to 2000. - Explain that this era saw significant changes in music due to technological advancements, cultural shifts, and experimentation. - Discuss how composers and musicians broke traditional rules and explored new sounds and techniques.

2. Characteristics of 20th Century Music (15 minutes) - Present a PowerPoint or video presentation highlighting the key characteristics of 20th century music, such as: a) Atonality and dissonance b) Experimentation with new instruments and electronic sounds c) Use of irregular rhythms and complex time signatures d) Incorporation of non-Western musical elements e) Emphasis on individual expression and personal experiences

3. Activities (20 minutes) - Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a worksheet containing excerpts from different 20th century compositions. - Instruct students to listen to each excerpt and identify the characteristics discussed in the previous section. - Encourage students to discuss their findings within their groups and share their observations with the class.

4. Questioning (10 minutes) - Engage students in a class discussion by asking questions such as: a) How does 20th century music differ from music of previous eras? b) Why do you think composers in the 20th century experimented with new sounds and techniques? c) How does the use of atonality and dissonance affect the emotional impact of a piece of music?

Assessment: - Assess students’ understanding of the characteristics of 20th century music through their participation in the group activity and class discussion. - Evaluate students’ ability to identify and analyze these characteristics in the provided excerpts.

Generalization: - Summarize the main points discussed in the lesson, emphasizing the unique characteristics of 20th century music. - Explain that these characteristics continue to influence and shape modern music.

Differentiation: - Provide additional support to students who may struggle with the concepts by offering simplified explanations and examples. - Challenge advanced students by encouraging them to research and present on a specific 20th century composer or musical movement.

Plenary: - Conclude the lesson by playing a video or audio recording of a well-known 20th century composition. - Ask students to reflect on how the characteristics discussed in the lesson are evident in the piece. - Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the music and its impact on them.

Resources: 1. Video: “Introduction to 20th Century Music” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg 2. Worksheet: Characteristics of 20th Century Music - [Insert link to worksheet] 3. Excerpts from 20th Century Compositions - [Insert link to excerpts] 4. Video: Example of 20th Century Music - [Insert link to video]