It is my life’s mission to hook those Upper elementary, 5th and 6th graders in music class. I begin every year surveying my older kiddos to find out their preferences and what they want to learn in music. This year, the overwhelming response was a preference for… instruments…well, it’s kinda hard to teach instruments during a global pandemic 🤣 No pressure!
Using that feedback, I sought after more creative ways to help my students turn household items into instruments, as so many of you are also likely doing. Our first “instrument” is…CUPS! Cups can be incredibly versatile and easily available tools for music-making and experiencing.
The main inspiration for this lesson creation came from the app, TikTok. It is fair to say that Kevin (my wonderful elementary music teacher fiancé) and I became obsessed with TikTok during quarantine. Having said this, it’s not all bad because we keep finding amazing music lesson ideas and inspiration from the many many creative creators on the app, like this one!
As soon as we saw it, we knew this had to be turned into a music lesson!
Materials
The first step of this Angry Birds Cup Challenge is securing your materials. Each student will need:
- 2 plastic/paper cups
- 1-2 pieces of paper
- A writing utensil
I used those small Dixie cups that kids use to get a sip of water after brushing their teeth, but any cups will do! The students will use the paper and writing utensil to make their notation.
Musical Concepts & Connections
- This is a great time to make the connection between the one circle corresponding to playing a quarter note (ta) and two circles referring to eighth notes (ti-ti).
- Discuss how the eight beat patterns work with the song because the Angry Birds theme is in a Meter of 4. You could connect that notion with the fact that most any song they listen to on the radio is also in a Meter of 4!
- Many musicians have to be able to do one thing with one hand while doing something very different with the other (Pianists, Drummers, Strings players, etc.)
Setting them up for Success
Let’s talk Levels! I wanted to scaffold this activity to build their confidence by starting with an easier version (Level 1). Over the years, I have noticed, with my older students, that sense of getting quickly overwhelmed is REAL. If it’s perceived as too hard right off the bat, then many will disengage and give up. Let’s set them up for success by giving them an “easier” challenge first!
Levels 1 & 2 both have one side that is just the steady beat while the other side has a little bit more going on rhythmically. The performance process goes as follows: the Left hand starts, followed by the Right hand, and then both hands at the same time.
Teacher Tip:
When working on both hands at the same time, a helpful suggestion to the students was to focus on the more rhythmically-complicated side, while the other hand goes on autopilot with the steady beat.
Levels 3 & 4 have a little more rhythmic variation on each side. I would go through these more quickly. Students are eager to try the final challenge.
Levels 5 & 6 are the actual original challenge from the video! You could have your students even send you a video of their best attempt at the challenge!
Playback Speed on YouTube
I am sure you are aware, but not all of your students may be aware that they can adjust the playback speed of videos on YouTube. Definitely teach them how they can do this to allow them to feel successful and work their way up to the original speed! This helps immensely with individual practicing! I started them on .75 speed, which I found perfect for their ability level! When they sent me their videos, I said they could try to go full speed or even (if they are daring) 1.25 speed!
What if students don’t have the materials?
Honestly, I have seen all types of variations/substitutions, such as using markers as their cups and writing out the circles on a dry-erase board. A student could even just use his or her hands by tapping the table! The name of the game is helping and allowing them to be creative, problem-solving individuals. They will come up with some innovative solutions!
What Would I Do Differently?
- I would have more quickly prioritized teaching the students in the first lesson how to change the playback speed.
- In the first lesson, I would not have them create their Levels 3 & 4 paper for the next lesson. Many of them were not prepared during our next lesson so we had to take the time to make it again anyways. I would just wait and have them create it during the next lesson.
- I am not completely happy with Levels 3 & 4. I might tweak next year’s patterns or have the students create their own!
- I might cut out Level 6, as it just doesn’t feel natural and it would be fitting that the last level is the actual challenge.
What did my Students Think?
I love to survey my students after any unit, especially when it is a new one. Here is what they said:
- “The difficulty level was just right.”
- Levels 1 & 2 were too easy (which is exactly what I wanted to build their confidence)!
- “It was fun!” They said to definitely do it next year with the next 5th and 6th grade groups. I also loved that the majority of my male students remained engaged, which I feel is a big positive for me, as I’m always struggling to keep them interested!
- They would like to do the challenge to a song of their choice.
Extensions
- You could have students pick a new song to try the challenge with or have them create their own pattern!
Try this Lesson with Your Students!
Make a copy of this mini-unit (3 lessons in total) to your Google Drive!
