Lesson: Coppernickel Goes Mondrian

Lesson to be used along with Coppernickel Goes Mondrian, by Wouter van Reek, used with permission from Enchanted Lion Books.

Materials

• Visuals of rhythm cards 1 and 2 and visuals 1 and 2 (colored square images).
• Visuals of Mondrian’s art works, Broadway Boogie-Woogie, Victory Boogie-Woogie and Composition A.
• White and black construction paper
• Red, yellow, and blue construction paper, scissors, and glue
• Red, yellow, and blue markers, crayons, or colored pencils.

The Art

• After reading book with students, show rhythm card 1 visual.
  
• Ask students to identify quarter notes and eighth notes. Ask students how the notes are arranged; help them discover that the pattern is the same forwards and backwards.
• Define symmetry.
• Show next rhythm card 2. Ask if this rhythm is also symmetrical (no).
  
• Define asymmetry and show other images and examples.
• Show visuals of Piet Mondrian’s work, Broadway Boogie-Woogie, Victory Boogie-Woogie and Composition A. Allow students time to discuss.
• Mondrian was inspired by rhythm and music, especially jazz. Show Visual 1.
• Ask students to determine if image is symmetrical or asymmetrical. How many rectangles are in the top row?
• Add colors and notation and show Visual 2.

The Music

• Have students speak the colors of the top row aloud (blue, red, blue, white) while teacher plays steady beat on drum.
• Repeat, asking students to think the word “white.”
• Speak the second row of colored squares. Think the word “white.”
• In three groups, have the students play as follows.
  • Group One – Play metal percussion instruments on yellow.
  • Group Two – Play drums on blue.
  • Group Three – Play wooden percussion instruments on red.
• Practice playing the first example again (without words or rhythm).
• Play top row of rectangles, second row, etc., then play two rows, and finally play all four rows.
• Groups trade instruments (metals go to skins, drums to woods, woods to metal); perform again, etc.

The Art Reprise

• While listening to jazz selections, groups will create a similar piece of artwork using red, yellow, blue, and white squares with black lines.
• Using white construction paper as background, cut black construction paper to use as lines.
• Use construction paper, markers, crayons, or colored pencils to create color blocks.
• Have each group decide on instrument timbres for different colors.
• Practice and perform.

Extension

• Have each group add movements for each color as they play instruments.
• Have students create a form including an introduction and coda.
• Practice and perform.

This lesson has been reproduced with permission and is an excerpt from Aimee’s book Painted Music. Copyright 2018 by Beatin’ Path Publications.

Download a pdf of Aimee’s lesson here.