After reviewing rhythm patterns at the beginning of the year, 3rd grade classes began working on layering rhythm patterns together. This is one of the more difficult skills that they will work on so I like to start early. By playing contrasting patterns together, students have to show proficiency in steady beat and rhythm counting. After lots of practice, and doing class layering activities like this, the students got into groups and began working on their own composition projects!
I always love it when people come into the music room while students are collaborating with instruments. They always say, "How in the world do you stand this noise??" It does get a little noisy but it is so neat to watch the groups collaborate and come up with great ideas together. I guess it is a sound only a music teacher could love. haha! ;) Here's a little sample of their group practice sessions:
To give the students a little inspiration, I like to show a few examples before they start their projects. Here are a few that I found on YouTube of a group of music teachers demonstrating their own Boomwhacker group creations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU8TPYGpptA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzsG5Ush6uE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjx2xQLJB9s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV1qMmrUouo
Afterwards, the groups watched a video of their performance and then did a group self-assessment. I used Shannon's idea from "Music Room Magic" to create the rubric. They rated themselves on the following categories:
1. Did everyone know their part? Was everyone involved?
2. Did the rhythms fit together? Was their a consistent steady beat?
3. Was the form clear the audience?
4. Did the piece flow? Did you keep going no matter what?
