Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.
Group Drawing Exercise
Objective: To get the students to see how transformation works.
Activity: Each group will stand in front of a large sheet of chart paper. The paper will have a line or shape drawn on it. Taking turns, the group members will draw on the paper, basing their addition on what is already on the paper. The only two rules are:
1)Once a student places his/her marker on the paper, the turn starts; and once the marker leaves the paper, the turn ends and the next person comes up.
2)There is to be absolutely no talking or signaling going on.
While this is going on, play a tape with a variety of musical styles on it. (Note: I created a tape that lasts about 20 minutes. On it I put excerpts from Gregorian chant, baroque, classical, romantic, jazz, classic rock and modern rock. Your musical students will sense the transformation in the music). The drawing will continue for about 15-20 minutes and is to end when the music ends.
