Barefoot Books- LadyD: Rhythm

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear l Barefoot Books - LadyD

You can teach children how to chant, speaking in rhythm to a steady beat. Kids learn to clap, tap, snap. march and swing. What is rhythm, you ask? Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm; the pattern of the beat. Long sound, short sound, no sounds. If you're interested in learning more about note values and such, you might want to read my article, Rhythm-in-Music.

Here's a song we have used for Preschool/ Kindergarten class.

Lunchtime Rap

(Sung to: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear)

Children, children, it's time to eat,

Go wash your hands and have a seat.

Serve the food and eat it up,

C F

Talk with your friends and then clean up.

Rhythm

* Counting rhythm
* Counting and clapping
* unit (counting the length of each note)
* metric (counting the number of beats in each measure)

Rhythmic Words

I use rhythmic words and pictures to help children learn rhythm counting.

For Example:

Quarter note: Bus, Train, Truck, Walk, Dog, Tree, Bird
Half note: Wagon
Whole note: Whole-note-hold-it
Eighth note: Moun-tain, Race car, Muff-in, Chee-tah, Li-on, Mon-key, Po-ny, Rain Drops
Sixteenth note: Col-o-ra-do, Mo-tor-cy-cle
Triplet: Basketball, Pineapple, Blueberry

Books About Rhythm

1. 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children

The perfect book to introduce rhythm instruments to young children! Children make the sound of the ocean waves using shakers, pretend to be a train using sand blocks, create a rainstorm with rhythm sticks, and perform circus tricks with jingle bells. Plus, they learn to play the instruments along with their favorite songs. 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities is perfect for parents, early childhood teachers, and music teachers who work with toddlers through age 6.

2. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early Board Books)

Illus. in full color. A madcap band of dancing, prancing monkeys explain hands, fingers, and thumbs to beginning readers.

3. Maracas (Row, Row, Row, Your Boat) (Rockin' Rhythm Band Board Books)

Everyone's invited to join the Rockin' Rhythm Band! Shake your Maracas as you sing along to the tune of 'Row, Row, Row your Boat!'. Making music has never been so much fun!

4. Together in Rhythm: A Facilitator's Guide to Drum Circle Music (Book & DVD)

Create compelling rhythm-based events for groups of all kinds! Learn the art of drum-circle facilitation from master percussionist, educator and award-winning drum circle facilitator, Kalani. The interactive DVD includes activities, games, an instrument guide and inspirational interviews. Participants will also gain essential life skills, including creative thinking, active listening, teamwork, self-direction and communication. This title has been awarded by iParenting Media as one of the "Outstanding Products of 2005."

I use rhythm sticks during a short part of the student's piano lesson. We use rhythm instruments in group lessons and love to play rhythm games. Do you have a favorite? I like Rhythm Bingo. Oh, be sure and check out my Rainbow Turkey Rests.

Happy Reading!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -- C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2008-2015 – All rights reserved
Barefoot Books-LadyD

Being a kindergarten music teacher for one hour sure goes by rather quickly. It is so much fun and truly rewarding to be with five year olds. There is lots of work in preparing for the upcoming day each week. The children look forward to our time of being together, learning all about music.

Music Lesson Plan

I usually begin the rhythm and music class with a type of story-telling gesture. I start with saying, “Good morning class.” The response is usually a typical reply, “Good morning Mrs. Rogers.” When I tell them I’m going to step outside and come back in with my teacher face on and try it again, that’s when I know I have their attention and cooperation. Children are so flexible when you change the variables and come back in with a quiet greeting, or a loud one. They will definitely copy you with their response most enthusiastically!

Music Talking Points:

1. What Is Music?
2. What Is Rhythm?

I begin by explaining that music is like reading notes not letters. We talk about music being on the radio and a CD. You hear music in bands and orchestras. One boy wanted to add to the discussion that he hears music when the birds sing, while another little girl added that her Dad plays music on the TV.
After awhile, I introduce that music is like your heart beating and that some notes are played slower than others. It is at this point that I go over to the piano or keyboard and play a few songs that the children are familiar with that are examples of a slow song, like Away In The Manger. We move on to fast songs such as Pop! Goes the Weasel and Yankee Doodle. Then we march in a circle to The Wheels on the Bus and London Bridges. There are tons of children’s songs available for your use on the internet.

It is at this point that I begin to talk in depth about teaching young people the music notes. We name the notes, talk about how many beats correspond to that particular note and then we practice clapping. So, within the first part of the hour, the kids have some introduction to a Quarter Note, being a black note that receives one count. Then, we have the Half Note, being a white note that receives 2 beats. The children learn patience in pausing and holding a note for a longer count. Finally, we move on to the whole note that is held 4 counts.

Kindergarten Music Activities

We review by clapping. Then we go into the rhythm box and pullout the sticks. The class learns to click the beats with the rhythm sticks to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. You can find the chords to the song at Storytime Songs.com Again, there are so many great songs to choose from. If we have time, we move on to other rhythm instruments. The children enjoy the triangle, bells, wooden block, spoons, the tambourine, shakers, flutes and kazoos. Basically, anything loud and fast!

I Spy Whole Notes-Pretend Magnifying Glass

Kindergarten Music Game

Towards the end of the hour, I enjoy introducing the children to a music game. We played “I Spy The Whole Note” with pretend magnifying glasses. I like to place flash cards around the room and have the children close their eyes. On the count of three, the flash cards are turned over, with eyes opened the kids begin their search for what a whole note looks like. It’s fun to teach at a kindergarten music class!

Teacher Treats

Just placing a few vanilla wafers into a baggie with some type of paper with music signs stapled as a topper is so easy and quick to do!

What are you making with your kiddos? You might want to stop by and visit some other great blogs for ideas to share with the little peeps!

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