Provide hands-on activities for practice and mastery. Check for understanding of concepts and skills by using relevant standard materials, i.e. worksheets, text problems, workbooks, teacher prepared exercises, etc.

Practice playing created melodies

Objective: To encourage students to compose blues melodies and try trading fours in performance.

Activity:
1) Have students create a "blues scale" on staff paper and then use the scale as a basis for creating a two to four bar melody in the key of C.
2) Suggest simple syncopated rhythms that can be added to the melody.
3) Have students divide into groups of four and "improvise" melodies on keyboard or mallet instruments for practice, then perform for the entire group and "trade fours."

Assessment: Students will honor the creativity and efforts of each group by applauding after each solo.