lenny

What Makes a Song Stick in Your Head?

user image

Lesson Plan

Catchy Tune Blueprint

Students will be able to identify and describe the core elements of catchy melodies and rhythms in popular songs, and apply these concepts to create their own short musical ideas.

Understanding what makes a song 'catchy' helps students appreciate music on a deeper level and empowers them to express their own creativity through composition. This lesson builds foundational musical literacy.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive exploration, guided listening, and hands-on creative tasks.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Speakers for audio playback, Musical examples (provided in The Hook Highway slide deck), Rhythm Scramble Challenge Activity sheets, Melody Match-Up Worksheet, and Pencils or pens

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Earworm?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What's an 'earworm'? Has a song ever gotten stuck in your head?"
    - Discuss a few examples, asking what they think makes those songs so memorable. (e.g., simple words, repeating sounds, upbeat tempo).
    - Introduce the lesson by stating that today they'll become 'Music Detectives' to uncover the secrets of catchy songs.

Step 2

Exploring Catchy Melodies

15 minutes

  • Use The Hook Highway slide deck to introduce the concept of melody.
    - Play examples of simple, memorable melodies (e.g.,

Step 3

Focus on the Melody

5 minutes

  • Play two short musical examples, one with a clear, simple melody and one with a more complex or less distinct melody.
    - Ask students which one is more likely to get stuck in their heads and why. Guide them to discuss simplicity, repetition, and contour (the shape of the melody moving up and down).
    - Introduce the term 'melodic hook' from The Hook Highway slide deck.

Step 4

Exploring Catchy Rhythms

15 minutes

  • Transition to rhythm using The Hook Highway slide deck.
    - Play musical examples with prominent, repetitive rhythms (e.g., a simple drum beat, a rhythmic chant).
    - Ask students to clap along or tap their feet. Discuss how steady beats and repeating patterns make rhythms catchy.
    - Introduce the term 'rhythmic groove' from The Hook Highway slide deck.

Step 5

Activity: Rhythm Scramble Challenge

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Rhythm Scramble Challenge activity sheets.
    - Explain the challenge: students will work individually or in pairs to arrange rhythmic patterns to create a 'catchy groove'.
    - Circulate and assist students, encouraging them to experiment with different combinations.
    - Have a few students share their creations with the class, clapping them out.

Step 6

Worksheet: Melody Match-Up

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Melody Match-Up worksheet.
    - Explain that students will listen to short melodic phrases and match them to descriptions of what makes them catchy (e.g., repetition, step-wise motion, simple leap).
    - Play the melodic examples (can be short snippets from the 'Exploring Catchy Melodies' section or new ones).
    - Review answers as a class, discussing the reasoning behind each match.

Step 7

Wrap-Up: Our Catchy Creations

5 minutes

  • Ask students to reflect on what they learned about creating catchy melodies and rhythms.
    - Challenge them to hum a short, original 'catchy tune' or clap a 'rhythmic groove' they created.
    - Conclude by emphasizing that understanding these elements helps them both enjoy music more and become better creators themselves.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

What Makes a Song Stick in Your Head?

Ever had a song stuck in your head all day? What was it? Why do you think it stayed with you?

Welcome students and get them thinking about music. This is a quick engaging start.

Music Detectives!

Today, we become Music Detectives to uncover the secrets of catchy songs!

We'll explore:

  • Catchy Melodies
  • Catchy Rhythms

Introduce the idea of being 'Music Detectives' and the goal for the day.

Melody: The Tune You Hum!

The melody is the main tune of a song.
It's what you hum or sing!

Think: What makes a melody easy to remember?

  • Simplicity: Not too many notes at once.
  • Repetition: Hearing parts again and again.
  • Direction: Notes move up, down, or stay the same.

Explain what a melody is in simple terms. Emphasize the 'tune' aspect. Play a simple, memorable melody here (e.g., 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' or a simple jingle).

Meet the Melodic Hook!

A Melodic Hook is a super catchy part of the melody that grabs your attention!

It's the part you can't stop singing!

Listen: Can you hear the hook in this example?

Introduce the term 'melodic hook' and play a strong example (e.g., chorus of a pop song, a well-known advertising jingle). Ask students to identify what makes it a 'hook'.

Rhythm: The Beat That Moves You!

Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences in music.
It's what makes you want to tap your feet or dance!

Think: What makes a rhythm catchy?

  • Steady Beat: The pulse you feel.
  • Repetition: A pattern that comes back.
  • Groove: Makes you want to move!

Transition to rhythm. Explain it's the 'beat' or 'pattern'. Play a very clear, repetitive rhythm (e.g., 'We Will Rock You' clap-stomp pattern, a simple drum beat).

Get Your Rhythmic Groove On!

A Rhythmic Groove is a catchy pattern of beats that makes the music feel exciting!

It's the part that makes you want to dance!

Listen: Can you feel the groove in this example?

Introduce 'rhythmic groove' and play an example with a clear, infectious groove. Ask students to clap or tap along.

Activity: Rhythm Scramble Challenge!

Time to create your own catchy rhythms!

  • Work in pairs or individually.
  • You'll get a Rhythm Scramble Challenge sheet with different rhythmic building blocks.
  • Arrange the blocks to create your own unique and catchy rhythmic groove!
  • Be ready to clap or perform your groove for the class!

Explain the activity instructions clearly. Emphasize creativity and listening to their own creations.

Worksheet: Melody Match-Up!

Now, let's practice identifying catchy melodies!

  • You'll get a Melody Match-Up worksheet.
  • I will play short melodies, and you will listen carefully.
  • Match each melody to the description that explains why it's catchy (e.g., repetition, simple steps, big jump).

Explain the worksheet instructions. Remind students to listen carefully to the melodic examples you play.

You're Catchy Creators!

Today, you became experts at spotting and creating catchy melodies and rhythms.

Next time you hear a song stuck in your head, you'll know why!

Keep listening, keep creating, and keep exploring the amazing world of music!

Wrap up the lesson, encouraging students to apply what they learned.

lenny

Activity

Rhythm Scramble Challenge!

Music Detectives, it's time to build your own catchy beats!

Your challenge is to use the rhythmic building blocks below to create a 4-beat "catchy groove." Cut out the blocks (or draw them if you don't have scissors!) and arrange them in any order you like to create a new rhythm. Once you have your 4-beat groove, practice clapping it out! Be ready to share your creation with the class.

Rhythmic Building Blocks:

  • Block A: ♩ ♩ (quarter note, quarter note)
  • Block B: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (eighth note, eighth note, eighth note, eighth note)
  • Block C: ♫ (eighth note pair)
  • Block D: 𝄽 (quarter rest)
  • Block E: 𝅘𝅥𝅯 ♩ (half note, quarter note)

My Catchy Groove (Draw or write your chosen blocks in order):





















Reflection:

  1. What makes your rhythm catchy?


  2. Did you use repetition in your rhythm? Where?


  3. How did you decide which blocks to put together?


lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Melody Match-Up!

Music Detectives, listen closely to these melodies and identify what makes them catchy!

Instructions: Your teacher will play several short melody examples. For each example, choose the description below that best explains why the melody is catchy. Write the letter of the description next to the melody number.

Melody Examples:

  1. Melody Example 1


  2. Melody Example 2


  3. Melody Example 3


  4. Melody Example 4


Catchy Melody Descriptions:

A. Repetition: The melody repeats a short phrase several times, making it easy to remember.
B. Simple Steps: The melody moves smoothly up or down using notes that are very close together.
C. Big Jump & Return: The melody makes a noticeable leap up or down and then quickly returns to nearby notes, creating a memorable shape.
D. Question & Answer: The melody sounds like it asks a question and then provides an answer, creating a satisfying feeling.

lenny
lenny
What Makes a Song Stick in Your Head? • Lenny Learning