Something Fishy’s Going On | Carnival of Animals Lesson Plan

Learning Objective(s) aligned to standard(s):  The students will compare the musical similarities and differences in Aquarium from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille St. Saens and Beauty and the Beast The Prologue by Alan Menken. The students will complete a cardboard class aquarium using the techniques of origami and quilling.

Success Criteria: The student's success will be measured by their ability to verbally communicate the elements of music used to create similarities and differences between Aquarium and in The Prologue from Beauty and the Beast using correct music terms.

The student will construct an accurate representation of a cardboard aquarium using the medium of paper art techniques.

Student Check-in Strategy (ies): The students will participate in “minute to win it”, observed and given thought provoking questions during guided class discussions, and monitored as the teacher circulates throughout the classroom.

Connections to Prior Learning/ Setting Purpose (Opening): The students will utilize previously acquired knowledge of musical elements (including, in part, rhythm, musical key centers, instrumentation, etc.) and previously studied elementary art concepts.

New Learning: 

1.The students will listen as the teacher introduces The Aquarium and gives background information on Camille Saint Saens and The Carnival of the Animals (including watching/listening to the videos of both). The students will share their reactions to this composition in a group discussion as guided by the teacher. 

2. The students will then listen to Prologue. 

Beauty and the Beast - Prologue (Epic Version)

3. The students will be paired together for 10 minutes to listen several times to all or parts of Aquarium and Prologue which will be shared to them through a digital platform. The student’s pair-share their responses to similarities and differences in the two compositions (Harry Potter’s Hedwig's Theme by John Williams, could also be used additionally for comparison). 

3. The students participate as a class in “minute to win it.” A timer is set for 30 seconds, and the class lists as many similarities between the Aquarium and Prologue (or three pieces, if Hedwig’s Theme is used). Repeat this with students listing differences between the compositions. Some similarities could include 16th note arpeggio ostinato, key of a minor, and differences could include the similar but not same instrumentation, glass (h)armonica used only in Aquarium.

4. The students will listen as the teacher introduces the glass harmonica glass (h)armonica picture, invented by Benjamin Franklin and used in Aquarium. Explaining that this instrument was invented in 1761 and is still in existence and occasionally used in compositions. To play it while the bowls spun, water moistened fingers would touch the rim and create sound. The teacher will have glasses filled with different levels of water to imitate the glass (h)armonica. These can be filled at four different levels to create the first four pitches of Aquarium. The students will be given an opportunity to play this instrument with a spoon. A short discussion about how this unusual instrument was used and what mood it creates in Aquarium will be led by the teacher. The students will be asked what modern instrument the South Carolina Philharmonic used in its place.

5. The students then watch the origami tutorial or the teacher can instruct the class and create paper fish(es) placed in a class cardboard/diorama aquarium (or taken with them if not constructing a class aquarium) and made into a display with a sound recorder attached that plays Aquarium. This will be displayed in their classroom and for other students to observe. After the origami is completed, the teacher can also explain that quilling is the art of rolling, shaping, and gluing paper strips to create designs. The students can quill or cut out additional paper figures to complete the class aquarium.

Practice: The students will listen multiple times to the two compositions and participate in peer to peer discussions and personal reflection. They will participate in several class discussions reviewing similarities and differences of both works as guided by the teacher. 

Differentiation: The students can be paired with flexible groupings to enhance all student learning, and think, pair, share utilized. Students will be given opportunities to respond individually, with their partner, and in group settings. All accommodations will be applied.

Lesson Reflection/Closure: Lesson Reflection/Closure: The students will respond to a teacher directed class discussion to determine the top three similarities and differences between Aquarium and The Prologue. The teacher will also allow for additional student comments and reflections.

The students will be assessed by the teacher circulating and observing student’s participation in the pair groupings and in class discussions. Their origami and quilling accuracy and quality will be visually observed.