Title – Rhythm Relay Game

By – Annie Chalmers

Primary Subject – Music

Grade Level – 3rd-12th

Concept: Rhythm Dictation

Equipment: Rhythm cards at an appropriate level (4 beats in length, stem and beam notation). Whiteboards and markers or craft sticks and the floor for the dictation.

1. Divide the class into groups of three to four students. Each group stands in a row facing the whiteboard (or a specified space with the craft sticks).

2. The person close to the whiteboard is the “writer,” the person in the end of the line is the “reader”.

3. All “readers” come to the teacher and read the first rhythm. Without talking, they go back to the lines and when the teacher counts off, they tap the rhythm on the shoulder of the person in front of them.

4. When the teacher counts off again, the “reader” and the person who received the rhythm both tap the rhythm. This continues until all have the rhythm and the “writer” writes the rhythm on the board or with craft sticks.

5. Students raise their hands when they have created a rhythm. A “not correct” from the teacher means that the group must erase the rhythm and continue to try. A “correct” from the teacher means that the writer can run to the horn in the middle of the room and honk it. There could be a race to the finish!

Make sure there is no talking and not loud tapping so that the rhythm is passed only by feel. Once the student receives the rhythm they must always tap it after the count off. If there are not equal amounts for groups have a student be the judge and someone to be a steady beat keeper on a percussion instrument.

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Annie Chalmers

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