Beethoven Lesson Plan

Homeschool Teacher - Lesson Plan & Newsletter
March 26, 2007

History

On this day in 1827, Ludwig van Beethoven passed away. Learn more about him here:
http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/2007/03/beethoven.html


Discussion questions:
1. How old was Beethoven when he started to go deaf?
2. What instruments did he play?
3. Who was Beethoven’s first music teacher?

Beethoven maze: http://www.musictechteacher.com/kgfiles/beethovenjpg.pdf
Beethoven coloring page: http://www.boopadoo.net/free-downloads-d81-Beethoven+Pic.htm
Musical Instruments coloring page: http://www.bamusic.org/Bay_Area_Little_Symphony/Coloring_Book/coloring_book.html

Science
The Glass Armonica Lesson Plan: The Science of Acoustics
The Glass Armonica - an unusual instrument
In 1761, Benjamin Franklin was inspired to invent his Glass Armonica when he heard music being played on a set of upright goblets filled with varying amounts of water by an eccentric Irishman named Richard Puckeridge. Franklin thought he could eliminate the difficult problems of tuning the water by giving the bowls themselves a fixed tonality based on the size of the bowls and the thickness of the glass.
Benjamin Franklin's invention was so unusual that it became immensely popular. He even toured Europe performing with his armonica. Several composers, including Beethoven and Mozart composed classical music for this instrument. Our first president, George Washington, was even a fan. His journal entry for April 1765 implies that he took the evening to hear the Armonica played in Williamsburg: "By my Exps. to hear the Armonica, 3.9"
You can imitate the sound of the armonica by using empty wine glasses and water.
Directions:
1. Clean your finger thoroughly and moisten it with water.
2. Gently rub finger on the top edges of an empty glass. Move finger smoothly in a circular motion, making sure to cover the entire circumference of the glass rim.
3. As you move your finger over the rim, notice the pitch of the sound produced.
4. Now, add water to the glass and repeat the same procedure. Once again, take notice of the new pitch.
WHAT HAPPENS???
• The presence of water in the glass decreases the vibrational frequency. Therefore, the pitch is lower than that of the empty glass. Increasing the size of the glass would produce a similar effect in the tone of the sound.
• Can you match the opening motif of Beethoven's fifth symphony with your armonica?
Don’t Forget the Math Challenge!
http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com/2007/03/math-challenge-march-26.html

For more Free Homeschool Lesson Plans

http://homeschoolingk.blogspot.com/ (k-3)

http://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.blogspot.com/( 4-8)