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?

Reading


Beethoven’s hearing loss had a profound effect on him. Read his own thoughts about his loss: http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans/beethoven/beethoven_testament.pdf
And
http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans/beethoven/beethoven_writes.pdf

Discussion Questions:
1. How would the loss of hearing affect a composer?
2. How would the loss of hearing affect a performer? 3. How did his hearing loss affect his music? 4. How did it affect his life?
Language Arts

Vocabulary
The floor pedal was another innovation during Beethoven’s time. This word comes
from the Latin root “pes, pedis” which means FOOT. Next to each derivative below,
explain how the root gives meaning to the word.
Ex. PEDAL: something that is operated with the foot
a. PEDICURE: _______________________________________________________
b. PEDESTAL: ____________________________________________________
c. PEDESTRAIN: ___________________________________________________

Journal

Although Beethoven's acquaintance with Mozart was short, Mozart was
impressed by Beethoven's talent. Perhaps Mozart and Beethoven
corresponded. It would certainly have been in keeping with the times for
Mozart to have taken it upon himself to mentor the younger musician.

Write a letter that Mozart might have sent to Beethoven after the young
Beethoven was forced to return to Bonn because of his mother's death.
What do you think Mozart might have said to encourage Beethoven to
continue with his music studies?
Your letter should be at least two paragraphs long. Be sure to use the five parts of
the letter: heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature.

Timeline
Beethoven lived from Dec 17, 1770 - March 26, 1827
several events that were important in American and World history happened during his lifetime. Use the worksheets below to plot these events on a timeline.
Events: http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans/beethoven/beethoven_events.pdf
Pictures:
http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans/beethoven/beethoven_timeline.pdf

Timeline:
http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/lessonplans/beethoven/beethoven_timelinesheet.pdf

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://homeschoolingthemiddleyears.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)