Welcome to The Lesson Plans Page, home to over 2,000 Free lesson plans for teachers in science, social studies, art, language arts, PE, and math lesson plans! Activities, Lessons, Thematic Units, elementary education / educational resource for parents, teachers, home school, teacher stories, inspirational stories, inspirational teacher stories, teacher inspiration
Sign up for HotChalk's Free Online Tools and Resources
Click to Take a Tour of HotChalk's Online Tools

Join Newsletter


Search This Site!



Body Rhythm
Math Language Arts Science Social Studies Art Computers & Internet Music P.E. & Health Other Multi-Disciplinary

Special Features

HotChalk.com EdScope, L.L.C. EduBanners.com Learn PC Hardware @ SitesForTeachers @ Teach-nology Education Master's Teacher Magazines Teaching Jobs About This Site How To Use Contact Info. Advertising Info. Educational Links Having Problems?

Printable Version for your convenience!

Title - Body Rhythm
By - Kathleen Yager
Subject - Music
Grade Level - K-1
This lesson is perfect for teaching primary grades about the value of ti, tah and toh before they are ready to read.

1. Have your students stand.
2. Have them step to a slow beat saying "toh, toh" several times. This should be the value of a half note.
3. Next, they should tap their thighs to what should equal a quarter note, and say "tah, tah, tah, tah".
4. Finally, have them clap their hands to "ti, ti, ti, ti" at what should be the speed of an eighth note.
5. Mix and match patterns of eighths, quarters and half notes with the appropriate step, tap or clap. For example: step- step-tap-tap-tap-tap, clap-clap-clap-clap is half-half- quarter-quarter-quarter-quarter-eighth-eighth-eighth-eighth.


By the time my students are ready to read the rhythms, they are familiar with the patterns and the length of time each note is held.

Evaluation occurs as you notice how well each student is doing keeping a steady beat and following my lead. I often preface each set with "Simon Says..." and it sets the tempo and makes the game flow more easily. My younger students love it and the older ones occasionally want to play it. We move at faster tempos and as they gain in expertise, I occasionally let a student be the "leader" and observe.

This game can be adapted to special needs students by using whatever body parts they are able to move. It could be blinking to a beat or clicking their tongues to a beat. Get creative and have fun!

E-Mail Kathleen!

 
Click to visit other good teacher sites
Click here for more great teacher sites