Achievement Objectives:

  • Use vocal sounds to imitate and create rhythmic ostinati (repeated patterns).
  • Use voices to explore changes in dynamics and tempo.

Preparation

  • Teacher should be familiar with the order of the songs sung on the track.
  • Teacher should have some ideas for vocal train sounds.

Warm-up Activity

“Faster/Slower Louder/Softer”

Children keep a beat on their knees. A leader uses conducting signals to make the beat go faster and louder, slower and softer.

Activity

  • Listen to Train Medley and ask children if they have heard any of the songs before?
  • Listen again and ask children to listen for changes in the music?
  • Discuss the “fading out” effect at the end of the track.
  • Sing the song(s) along with audio or video song.
  • Add actions/movement.
  • Explore different vocal sounds relating to “trains.”
  • Listen for the train sounds on the song.
  • Teacher models a rhythm pattern using train sounds and children copy E.g. Choo-choo, choo-choo.
  • Invite children to make up their own “choo-choo” patterns for others to copy.

Extension Ideas

Share poems relating to “trains”. Add sound effects using musical Instruments and explore voice to create an impression of speeding up/slowing down/fading into the distance. e.g.

 Here is  a choo choo train puffing down the trackPuffer Train

Now it’s going forward, now it’s going back

Now the bell is ringing, now the whistle blows

What a lot of noise it makes everywhere it goes.

Glossary

Rhythm Pattern

Combination of long and short sounds that fit over an underlying beat

Dynamics

Degree of loudness or softness (volume)

Tempo

Speed of the beat.

Like this post? Then check out this fun music activity that kids love!