Standards-based Planned Instruction

Name: Dr. David Berlin

School District: 1999 Governor's Institute for Arts Educators

Lesson Title: Prokoffiev, Alexander Nevsky Op. 78

Grade Level: Graduate

Specify

Primary

Intermediate

Middle

High School

X

Other

School Building: Mercyhurst, Northeast PA

Piloted with Educators attending the Governor's Institute for Arts Educators 1999

PA STANDARD AREA: ARTS AND HUMANITIES

9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition

9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts

X

9.3 Critical Response

9.4 Aesthetic Response

9.5 Connections to Other Academic Subjects

Standard Statement: (write out from grade 4 or 7 or 10 or advanced column in standards document): (example: 9.3.10.E) Interpret and use various types of critical analysis in the arts and humanities.

 

Lesson Topic/Theme Alexander Nevesky

Overview: This community of learners explores the motion picture Alexander Nevsky directed by Serge Eisenstein with the musical score by Prokoffiev. The emphasis of this study is on the music which Prokoffiev adjusted and which is now known as the Cantata op. 78. Aural and visual analysis, production and research activities designed to give the learner insight about the work are followed by written findings which are to be published on line.

Keywords:music, education, Alexander Nevesky, fine arts, governors institute model lessons, standards, learning-activity sets.

Learning Objective(s): (What will all students do to demonstrate they have reached the standard?): (type in 17 lines or less .) Participants will: 1. Cite, describe and apply Pennsylvania state standards in the arts and humanities in connection with the design and delivery of learning experiences (curriculum). 2. Create a response journal and a standards-based model lesson both of which are to be published on the internet.

Assessment-Task Criteria: How will you judge below basic, basic, proficient and advanced? Do you have a model/exemplar of your expectations?: (type in twenty lines or less) Exemplars are available from David Berlin in the form of actual high-school pupil portfolios.

Below Basic

The discussion exhibits:

Limited Identification of aspects of product and critical process of works in the arts. 

The following are the processes:

A. Analysis and synthesis

  • by comparing and contrasting

  • Interpreting

  • forming and testing hypotheses

  • evaluating and forming judgements

 

B. Determining and applying criteria to ones own works and works of others.

C. An individual system of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.

D. Evaluation of works in the arts and humanities using a complex and advanced vocabulary and concepts of critical response.

Basic

The discussion exhibits:

Evaluation of relevant aspects of product and process of works in the arts.

The following are the processes:

A. Analysis and synthesis

  • by comparing and contrasting

  • Interpreting

  • forming and testing hypotheses

  • evaluating and forming judgements

 

B. Determining and applying criteria to ones own works and works of others.

C. An individual system of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.

D. Evaluation of works in the arts and humanities using a complex and advanced vocabulary and concepts of critical response.

Proficient

The discussion exhibits:

Competent interpretation and critical evaluation of product and process of works of art.

The following are the processes:

A. Analysis and synthesis

  • by comparing and contrasting
  • Interpreting
  • forming and testing hypotheses
  • evaluating and forming judgements

 

B. Determining and applying criteria to ones own works and works of others.

C. An individual system of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.

D. Evaluation of works in the arts and humanities using a complex and advanced vocabulary and concepts of critical response.

Advanced

The discussion exhibits:

Application and articulation of connections within and/or beyond the discipline.

Informed analysis of product and process of works in the arts.

The following are the processes:

A. Analysis and synthesis

  • by comparing and contrasting
  • Interpreting
  • forming and testing hypotheses
  • evaluating and forming judgements

 

B. Determining and applying criteria to ones own works and works of others.

C. An individual system of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.

D. Evaluation of works in the arts and humanities using a complex and advanced vocabulary and concepts of critical response.

 

 

 

Materials: (type in 8 lines or less) Computers equiped with word processing, cd-rom and on-line internet capabilities, overhead projector, Any recording and score of the Cantata Alexander Nevsky op.78. Software titled "Netscape Communicator", "SoundEdit 16", a book titled An Outline History of Western Music , Wold, Martin, Miller and Cycler. Dubuque: William C. Brown Communications inc. 1994.

Warm-Up: (type in four lines or less) The leader will present the following overview section of this document at a large-group meeting.

This community of learners will learn how to:

1. Design lessons using a process model which addresses standards and embeds them in the process.

2. assess critical response.

3. coordinate learning activities with standards.

We will undertake a systematic study of Alexander Nevsky, a film directed by Serge eisenstein with special focus on the musical score by Serge Prokofiev.

Participants will follow a collection of graduate-level learning experiences designed to provide a process model for the incorporation of standards into the design of learning activities. This learning-set design will serve as a delivery model for standards-based instruction.

There will be listening activities, visual analysis, production activities, creating activities, internet-based research to tie the study to its, sociocultural connections and roots.

Participants will then create sets of learning experiences geared toward the grade level of the pupils they teach. These lessons will then be published on the internet as model standards-based learning activity sets. The learning-activity sets do not necessarily have to be on the Alexander Nevsky theme although they may be if so desired.

This community of learners is designed for those participants who are:

1. interested in standards and their lesson-design applications;

2. interested in interdisciplinary integration with musical connections;

3. music educators.

Procedure: (type in 43 lines or less

I Read "Style and Performance Practice" in An Outline History of Western Music P. 177-83 If you feel the need to prepare yourself or organize your thoughts for listening.

(see the leader for the book)

 

II. Listen to movement two of Alexander Nevsky by Prokofiev. (consult the leader for the recording)

Respond by describing as many musical entities and style characteristics as possible. Collect the findings in writing. (standard 7.3 )

What to listen for:

Instrumentation and tone color (including the language if there is a text)

Rhythm

Melody

Harmony

Texture

Form

 

III. Listen to movement two again while following the score. Add to your findings any musical entities or characteristics which you were able to see rather than hear. Document the examples by referencing measure numbers and instrument parts. (standard 7.3 )

 

 

IV. Study the printed score without listening. Collect additional findings.

(standard 7.3 )

 

 

V Turn to movement three of Alexander Nevsky. Do procedures I, II and III described above. (standard 7.3 )

 

VI Perform the vocal parts by singing along with the recorded performance. (This can, in in some cases should, be done privately so as to not interrupt the concentration of others).

If you are advanced, you may : 1.perform excerpts on your instrument.

(standard 7.1 )

 

VI. create:

  

  1. an improvisation based upon musical material from Alexander Nevsky or
  2. an arrangement for another performance medium or
  3. compose a new and original work modeled after Alexander Nevsky or4
  4. Select a short movie clip. Create a sound track to establish a mood and atmosphere to accompany the film clip

 (standard 7.1)

 

 

VII Read P.173-177 in An Outline History of Western Music about the sociocultural influences on the arts in the early twentieth century, (standard7.2), The Function of Music (standard 7.2) Serge Prokofiev (p.193)(standard 7.2), The genre (p. 186, music for film (standard 7.2)

Explore the following links and collect data about the sociocultural influences on the music under discussion (standard 7.2) (standard 7.5 )

http://www.hnh.com/composer/prokofie.htm

 supplemental material about Prokoffiev:

http://home.worldonline.nl/~ovar/prokwork.html

VIII.

Read "What to look for in Alexander Nevsky on the Web at : http://chomsky.arts.adelaide.edu.au/person/DHart/Films/AlexanderNevsky.html (standard 7.3)

View the Motion picture "Alexander Nevsky" directed by Eisenstein.(standard 7.3) (standard 7.5)

Read about Prokoffiev, Eisenstein and "Alexander Nevsky" at the following URL(s):

(standard 7.2) , (standard 7.3), (standard 7.5)

http://www.ukans.edu/~russcult/handouts/nevsky.html

http://chomsky.arts.adelaide.edu.au/person/DHart/Films/AlexanderNevsky.html

http://www.channel1.com/users/martyj/eisenstein.html

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/6080/nevsky2.htm (review of the score)

http://www.openix.com/~danb/nevsky.htm

http://twincities.sidewalk.com/detail/47113

http://www.musicarussica.com/files/cd/fcd/f05.htm (review of the recording we are studying)

http://www.musicarussica.com/files/sheetmu.html

http://bertrand.bucknell.edu/home/video/movies/profiles/alexander_nevsky.html (film review)

http://www4.hmc.edu:8001/humanities/music/mus127s/eisenstein.htm bio of Eisenstein)

http://www.siue.edu/~aho/musov/proko/prokofiev2.html ( about Prokoffiev)

http://members.tripod.com/ScoreSheet/ (reviews of film music)

http://members.tripod.com/ScoreSheet/Reviews/nevsky.html (review)

http://www.ans.com.au/~jgwr/nevsky.htm (about Eisenstein)

 

 

IX. Collect information about the socio-cultural background of Alexander Nevsky the historic Russian figure and the Zeitgeist (spirit of the times) in which Prokofieff wrote the Opus 78 Alexander Nevsky. Log onto the following URL's and read the material found therein. (standard 7.2), (standard 7.5)

http://gray.music.rhodes.edu/musichtmls/Papers12096/nev.html

http://russianculture.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa022398.htm?TMog=738338937103636&Mint=738338937103636&FFV=1

http://www.dvdreview.com/html/alexander_nevsky___ivan_the_terrible.html

http://www.chivalricorders.org/royalty/russhist.htm

http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/Rulers/chron.russia.html  

 

IX. Read some of the reviews of works by Prokoffiev at the URL:

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/6080/index.html (standard 7.2)

Compare and contrast the musical entities and style characteristics found in movements two and three. Create critical analysis of Alexander Nevsky. (standard 7.3 )

Asses your document using the scoring rubric provided in connection with the state standards. Make any necessary revisions in light of the standards. (standard 7.3 )

This document may be published on the Internet in connection with the model learning experiences. (standard 7.1 )

 

X. Using this collection of learning experiences as a model. Create a standards-based model lesson which is developmentally appropriate to the age and level of your students. Submit your model lesson for publication on the Internet. Use the template provided.

Resources to Explore:

Classical Music Used in Films:

http://www.hnh.com/cmuif.htm

http://www.philorch.org/movielist.html

Useful Educational Topics:

http://www.hnh.com/educate.htm

Licensing for Educational Purposes:

http://www.hnh.com/scores.htm

Composer Biographies:

http://www.hnh.com/qcomp.htm

Film Reviews:

http://www.dvdreview.com/html/all_reviews.shtml

http://www.gunnlace.com/mreviews.htm

Other Miscellaneous Possible Items of Interest:

http://www.nus.edu.sg/Courses/trw/Film/criticism.html (Writing film Criticism)

http://www.snap.com/directory/category/0,16,-49174,00.html (links to sites about Eisenstein)

http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/articles/nov97/10_Nov---Classical_vs_Film.html (filmscore magazine article)

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/phillips-film/home.htm (film resources)

http://www.indiana.edu/~libreser/media/vida.html (film library)

http://www.blsi.com/nevsky.htm

http://www.bibl.hff-potsdam.de/estein/bibliograf.html

http://www.dvdreview.com/html/alexander_nevsky___ivan_the_terrible.html

http://www.bibl.hff-potsdam.de/estein/bibliograf.html

http://home.worldonline.nl/~ovar/prokwork.html

http://www.hnh.com/composer/prokofie.htm

http://www.hnh.com/scores.htm

http://www.hnh.com/hnh.htm

http://www.sofia.com/culture/churches/nevsky.html

http://www.chivalricorders.org/royalty/russhist.htm

http://chomsky.arts.adelaide.edu.au/person/DHart/Films/AlexanderNevsky.html

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/6080/nevsky.htm

http://www.hoptechno.com/claslist.htm

http://www.wsws.org/soceq/public_html/iwb2-98/eisen.htm (about Eisenstein)

http://us.imdb.com/Details?0029850 (about the film)

 

http://russianculture.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa022398.htm?terms=alexander+nevsky&COB=home&TMog=738338937103636&Mint=738338937103636&FFV=1

(nevsky biography)

http://www.philorch.org/movielist.html

http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/Rulers/chron.russia.html

http://cnit2.uniyar.ac.ru/yaros/wwe00048.htm

http://www.blsi.com/nevsky.htm

Correctives: (enrichment activities for students who have not met the standard at proficient or advanced level): (type in 11 lines or less)

Using this process, study musical examples of other movements of Alexander Nevsky.

Using this process, study other works by Prokoffiev.

Extensions: (Additional activities for students who have met the standard at a proficient or advanced level): (type in 20 lines or less).

Using this process, study music of similiar style and genre by other composers.

Using this process, study music of other genre by Prokoffiev and other composers of early twentieth-century music.