Step 1: Introduce Solfège Through Engaging Activities

Before diving into the story, review solfège with your students in a fun and interactive way. Solfège (Do, Re, Mi, etc.) helps students build pitch awareness, internalize melodies, and develop their ear for music.

Here are a few engaging ways to introduce or review solfège:

• Hand Signs & Body Movements – Use Curwen hand signs to visually and physically represent each pitch. For extra engagement, have students match each pitch to a movement (e.g., standing tall for Sol, bending for Mi, squatting for Do).
• Call & Response Singing – Sing short solfège phrases and have students echo them back. Start simple (Do-Mi-Sol), then add complexity as they grow more confident.
• Color Connections – Associate solfège syllables with colors, Boomwhackers, or visual aids to reinforce learning.

Once students feel comfortable with solfège, introduce the song used in the video walkthrough below. This will set the foundation for incorporating solfège throughout the story!

Step 2: Sing, Move, and Feel the Beat

First, students repeat the song after me. Then, we march, jump, or walk to feel the steady beat.

Next, we use the interactive Google Slides to click and add trumpets at the right moments. This keeps students engaged while helping them lock in the steady beat in a fun and simple way.

Now that they know the song, it’s time for the story!

Step 3: Bringing the Story to Life with Music

Throughout Mortimer, different characters climb the stairs to tell him to “Be Quiet!” Each character presents a great opportunity to practice vocal pitch and solfege hand signs.

• As the character climbs the stairs, move through the solfege hand signs from Do to Sol.
• When they go back down, reverse the pattern.

Each character speaks in a different vocal register, providing a fun way to explore vocal expression:

• Mom – Use a “mommy” voice with a wagging finger (medium-high voice).
• Dad – Demonstrate a deeper, “daddy” voice (medium-low voice).
• 17 Brothers and Sisters – Use a high-pitched voice.
• Police Officers – Use your lowest voice for a dramatic effect.

Step 4: Expressive Singing & Musical Concepts

Between each character’s command, Mortimer sings his song—this is a great chance to reinforce musical concepts:

• Change the dynamics (sing it quietly, then loudly).
• Alter the tempo (try it fast, then slow).
• Explore articulation (sing it staccato or legato).

Students will stay engaged as they anticipate how they’ll have to sing the next version of Mortimer’s song!

Step 5: Quick & Fun Assessment

At the end of the story, check for understanding with a quick high, medium, and low voice sorting activity.

• If you have a Smartboard, students can drag the characters to the correct vocal range.
• If using paper, print out images of the characters and have students sort them into high, medium, and low voice groups.