I love creating a routine at the beginning of my classes. It helps students focus and gives me a second to handle questions and get things ready to go. For some classes this is a hello song, echo clapping or a movement activity. In this post I'll share one of my favorites. Rhythm cards are the perfect way to get students thinking and moving in music class.
The rhythm cards that I am referring to have 4 beats worth of notation. I copy the same card on front and back so that they are easier to use. One card has 4 quarter notes. Another has two half notes and so on.
When using these cards I am reinforcing note values and sharpening skills that we will use in other activities to compose rhythmic ostinatos or melodies. Students are able to feel the duration and this makes a strong connection. Using this activity at the beginning of each or during each class for several weeks in a row has been a great skill builder! I like to call it "rockin' repetition".
I wish this simple but brilliant idea was mine, but I actually learned about it from Kristin Lukow, music educator extraordinaire on the Music K-8 discussion list. I've incorporated it into lessons for many years now and my students are better for it. Thanks Kristin!
Here's what I do:
I choose a song with a medium to fast beat (which are much easier than slower songs) and start it as students are walking into music class. They clap the pattern as an ostinato until I change the card. That's really it!
This activity works great with my drums, classroom percussion instruments and different kinds of body percussion instead of just clapping. Often we will do this with tennis balls or basketballs (if I can borrow some). When we use balls with the cards here are the movements:
whole notes - count as you move it around your waist, back and then to your front. Think of it as traveling around the world.
half notes - bounce so that the first part of the note is when the ball hits the floor and the second is when you catch it
quarter notes -same as half note but on each beat. It helps to be closer to the floor for this one.
eighth notes-hot potato! We pass it from hand to hand in rhythm.
Since this activity is used many times during the school year my play list is pretty diverse and always growing. I include songs that I'll use with tennis balls, basketballs and with body percussion. I can choose faster pieces for body percussion than the others. Some student favorites:
"Can't Stop This Feeling" by Justin Timberlake
"Song of the South" by Alabama
"The Star and Stripes Forever" Sousa
"Best Years of Our Lives" by the Baha Men
"I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbit
You can check out my entire playlist for rhythm cards here: Rhythm Cards Playlist on Amazon Music.
I know this is a simple idea, but once you've implemented it I think that you'll find it is helpful not only for establishing routine, but for improving rhythm skills and steady beat with your students. I'm so sure it will that I want you to have a copy of the cards for free! Print out two copies and laminate the same pattern back to back. Get the cards here: Rhythm Cards for Rockin' Repetition
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