Sixteenth Notes ♬

Fourth and Fifth grade classes have been working on singing, identifying, performing, and creating rhythm patterns using sixteenth notes.  ♬  They reviewed how the sixteenth notes are related to fractions: 16 of them fit into one measure of 4/4 time and they are 1/16 of a whole note!

Then, they learned a folk song called "No One in the House" that incorporates sixteenth notes in the melody.  After learning a pattern using body percussion, they were able to transfer the pattern to the mallet instruments.  Next, the students practiced creating their own rhythm patterns and practicing them using alternating hands on individual bars.  Finally, we were able to combine all of these elements together for a performance!  They did a fabulous job!  Check out some pictures of the students hard at work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Thanksgiving Rhythms

High Shoals students had a blast notating, performing, and composing Thanksgiving rhythms! 

First and second grade classes learned the song "The Dinner Was Delicious" by Deanna Stark (found on her website: http://deannastark.weebly.com/ ).

Students then worked in pairs to notate the rhythms for various foods found on the Thanksgiving table!  The students not only enjoyed discovering the rhythm of the words, but also discussing which foods were their favorite.  ツ

After the students had notated each rhythm, they categorized each word according to it's rhythm pattern.

Then, students created patterns using their "food cards" and practiced clapping them.  After experimenting with various patterns, each group chose their favorite 4-card pattern and performed it for the class.

At the end of class, we created a rondo by singing "The Dinner Was Delicious" and adding in each group's pattern for the "B" sections.  I couldn't help but smile when I heard "Mrs. E, I am really hungry now!"   ツ

Rhythm Centers

First grade students have really been enjoying their rhythm centers!  This has given them a chance to practice identifying, performing, and creating 4-beat patterns using quarter notes, quarter rests, and eighth notes.  Here are some of the fun games they played:

Center 1:  Koosh Ball Rhythms (SMARTboard) - The students take turns tossing the koosh ball at the board and when they hit a circle a rhythm will pop up.  They then have to read that rhythm correctly to their team.

 

 





Center 2:  Rhythm Board Game - When it is their turn, the student draws a card and reads the rhythm to the group.  If they read it correctly, they can roll the dice and move their game piece.

 



Center 3:  Rhythm Bingo - One student will be the "caller" and will read various rhythm patterns aloud to their group.  The group members then have to find that rhythm on their card and cover it up with a Bingo chip.  The first student that gets Bingo will be the new caller of the game.

 



Center 4:  Rhythm Composition - The students will take turns being the "composer" who will create a 4-beat rhythm pattern hidden behind the "screen."  The composer will read aloud their rhythm and the group members have to notate the rhythm using their rhythm cards.  The composer will then reveal the rhythm by lifting the screen and check who got the right answer.

 



Center 5:  Rhythm Matching - Students will take turns flipping over two rhythm cards trying to find matches.  If they get two cards that are the same, they have to say the rhythm correctly to claim the match.



Stomp Display

I do not usually have very much student work to display since my students' "work" happens during our class performances.  However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show off the 4th and 5th grade Stomp Projects.  Each group completed a worksheet to show the rhythms they chose, the instruments they played, and an explanation of their performance.  The students really enjoy finding their group's work in the display and checking out all of the pictures! 

 Update: After many requests, I have decided to share my Stomp: Trash Percussion Group Project! Click here if you would like to download a copy. :)



Musical Pumpkins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Halloween Sound Stories

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year because there are so many fun and engaging activities we can do in music!  One of my favorite lessons is using Halloween poems to create spooky sound stories.  A sound story is using instruments or various objects to add sound effects to a story, poem, or book. 

In Second grade classes, we started by learning a Halloween poem together as a class.  Once we read through it a few times, we decided which words needed a sound effect.  They discovered that important words and onomatopoeias were great choices.
 

 

Next, I showed the students a collection of sound effects instruments and the students chose appropriate sounds for the words that they had circled. 



Then, the students performed the poem collaboratively using the instruments. 

 

The students then got into small groups and began working on their own Halloween sound story.  The groups followed the same steps that we had followed together as a class.

 

 

The groups received a bucket full of classroom percussion instruments that they used to create their sound effects.  It was so neat to watch each group's creative process! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each group performed their sound stories for the class.

 

 

  

 

 

 They definitely got me into the spooky Halloween spirit!! ツ

 

Stomp: Trash Percussion Projects

Have you ever heard of Stomp?  Stomp is a percussion ensemble that uses a variety of everyday objects as percussion instruments.  It combines rhythmic percussion, movement, and physical comedy.  The group originated in London, England but now has companies that perform on Broadway and at venues all over the world. 

My students LOVE Stomp!!  How could you not??  Their performances are engaging, funny, and very impressive!  Recently in music class, 4th and 5th graders used Stomp performances as inspiration for their own rhythmic performance.  Check out some of their favorite video clips:



 

 

 

  

And their favorite ...

 

  

The classes LOVED doing their own version of Stomp!  They brought in all kind of trash/recyclable items to use for their instruments such as cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and tin cans.

 



 

They worked with small groups to create a performance piece using contrasting rhythm patterns performed on their trash percussion instruments.  Some groups used props, created choreography, or added their own dose of Stomp humor!  ツ  I was so proud of their creative compositions!