What Makes a Wildcat Wild? from Purposeful Pathways 3 combines singing, movement, instruments, and improvisation into one flexible, classroom-ready experience.
Students start with solfa echo patterns to develop pitch awareness, then move into rhythm and music literacy, reading and singing from notation using hand signs.
From there, the lesson expands into body percussion and unpitched percussion, helping students understand form, steady beat, and ensemble playing through ostinatos and group work.
Recorder is introduced using B, A, and G, making it ideal for beginner recorder students. Teachers can choose a rote or notation-based approach, depending on student readiness.
The lesson builds toward a full ensemble with barred instruments and layered parts, giving students a complete music-making experience.
To finish, students explore recorder improvisation, using simple patterns to create their own musical ideas and build confidence.
This is a strong option for teachers looking for elementary music lesson plans, recorder activities, or ways to introduce improvisation in the music room.
Full Lesson: What-Makes-a-Wildcat-Wild.pdf
Demonstration Video: What-Makes-a-Wildcat-Wild-1.mov