Simple Gifts

Our fifth graders are learning about the Shakers - a religious group which had a settlement right near us in Colonie.  They believed in all things simple.  Their tune "Simple Gifts" is the basis for Aaron Copland's piece title, "Appalachian Spring" which we listened to last week.

This week we are singing the original tune and dancing it the way the Shakers would have!  We will also be playing with (and eating!) M&Ms and Skittles as we discuss the way Copland used "Simple Gifts" as the basis for his theme and variations style of composition.  The children will start by choosing a theme for their design - a shape, letter, picture....whatever!  Then, with each new variation they hear in the music they will change it only slightly to form a variation of their original.  Here are some pictures from last year's lesson: