rhythm
rhythm 1 CARD GAME
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The many variations in the instructions give endless fun reinforcing recognition of rhythms. In accordance with Kodaly principles, only the stems of the rhythms are printed. This helps focus attention on the shape of the rhythm syllable itself.
In my own teaching I use the Kodaly rhythm syllable first as they readily lend themselves to saying rhythms out loud to a steady beat. I gradually introduce the standard terms.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
In my own teaching I use the Kodaly rhythm syllable first as they readily lend themselves to saying rhythms out loud to a steady beat. I gradually introduce the standard terms.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
RHYTHM 2 CARD GAME
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The many variations in the instructions give endless fun reinforcing recognition of rhythms. In accordance with Kodaly principles, only the stems of the rhythms are printed. This helps focus attention on the shape of the rhythm syllable itself.
In my own teaching I use the Kodaly rhythm syllable first as they readily lend themselves to saying rhythms out loud to a steady beat. I gradually introduce the standard terms.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
In my own teaching I use the Kodaly rhythm syllable first as they readily lend themselves to saying rhythms out loud to a steady beat. I gradually introduce the standard terms.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
DOMINOS
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A quick fun matching game to reinforce recognition of basic rhythms. Spread all cards out. Teacher puts down one in the middle. In turns, students choose a card that matches at either end forming a snake.Print on card stock and cut out.
Game takes about 15 minutes to play.
Game takes about 15 minutes to play.
MAKE A SONG
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A rhythm & solfa game (using Kodaly based syllables)
A great way to encourage young students to improvise and to practice aural and visual skills. Rhythmic and melodic patterns and
phrasing can also be demonstrated.
Variation 1: For ages 4 to 6 Youngest students, in turns, choose the rhythm cards from a spread out pile and place them under the heart beats, forming “today’s song”. Use only the simple rhythms on page 3. Read the song together. If appropriate students write
it down to take home.
Variation 2: For ages 4 to 6 The students can follow the teacher holding up a rhythm card or late clapping the rhythm and find
the appropriate card.
Variation 3: For ages 7 to 10 Add the more advanced rhythms on page 4.
Variation 4: For ages 7 to 10 As students become familiar with the solfa syllable and hand signs,
add page 5. Read the song together, and write it down to take home.
Variation 5: For ages 7-10 The students can follow the teacher’s hand signs and find the appropriate card.
Duration: about 15 minutes
I have found that my students delight in being “in control” of the game. I hope it encourages them to “compose” at home.
In fact, I often ask them to bring a composition to the next class.
A great way to encourage young students to improvise and to practice aural and visual skills. Rhythmic and melodic patterns and
phrasing can also be demonstrated.
Variation 1: For ages 4 to 6 Youngest students, in turns, choose the rhythm cards from a spread out pile and place them under the heart beats, forming “today’s song”. Use only the simple rhythms on page 3. Read the song together. If appropriate students write
it down to take home.
Variation 2: For ages 4 to 6 The students can follow the teacher holding up a rhythm card or late clapping the rhythm and find
the appropriate card.
Variation 3: For ages 7 to 10 Add the more advanced rhythms on page 4.
Variation 4: For ages 7 to 10 As students become familiar with the solfa syllable and hand signs,
add page 5. Read the song together, and write it down to take home.
Variation 5: For ages 7-10 The students can follow the teacher’s hand signs and find the appropriate card.
Duration: about 15 minutes
I have found that my students delight in being “in control” of the game. I hope it encourages them to “compose” at home.
In fact, I often ask them to bring a composition to the next class.
PIZZA & PIZZETTE
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Teaching note values
Everyone loves pizza! This game is a super entertaining way of teaching note values. The visual component helps students understand what is often a “grey area”. Choosing the toppings for the pizza always creates an element of spontaneity and fun.
Duration: about 20 minutes
Everyone loves pizza! This game is a super entertaining way of teaching note values. The visual component helps students understand what is often a “grey area”. Choosing the toppings for the pizza always creates an element of spontaneity and fun.
Duration: about 20 minutes
RHYTHM LAYOUT
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To teach time signatures
A great game for teaching time signatures. Students must decide when to put down the bar lines for the appropriate time signature. Makes a good quick game, a filler. I have purposely used the Kodaly based rhythm syllables to focus attention on the shape of each rhythm.
After spreading the rhythm cards face up on the table, decide which time signature to use, placing the appropriate time signature on the table. Players, in turn, put a rhythm card down in a line following the time signature card. When the required number of beats is laid out the next player must put down a bar line.
The game ends when all possible rhythm cards are used.
Duration: 5 -15 minutes
Variation 1: Use only one time signature until the students are very familiar with how the game works.
Variation 2: Combine time signature cards. The teacher can decide at any time when to change the time signature by putting down a new time signature card.
Variation 3: A student can decide at any time when to change the time signature by putting down a new time signature card.
A great game for teaching time signatures. Students must decide when to put down the bar lines for the appropriate time signature. Makes a good quick game, a filler. I have purposely used the Kodaly based rhythm syllables to focus attention on the shape of each rhythm.
After spreading the rhythm cards face up on the table, decide which time signature to use, placing the appropriate time signature on the table. Players, in turn, put a rhythm card down in a line following the time signature card. When the required number of beats is laid out the next player must put down a bar line.
The game ends when all possible rhythm cards are used.
Duration: 5 -15 minutes
Variation 1: Use only one time signature until the students are very familiar with how the game works.
Variation 2: Combine time signature cards. The teacher can decide at any time when to change the time signature by putting down a new time signature card.
Variation 3: A student can decide at any time when to change the time signature by putting down a new time signature card.
TWO BEAT RHYTHM CARDS
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A game for very young students
A good visual and aural way to reinforce Kodaly based rhythm syllables.
Use after the students are familiar with ta, ti-ti,
ti-ka-ti-ka, to-o, and Z. The star facilitates reading left to right. Use the hearts to show that each card has two beats.This game offers many variations (and you will think of more...).
Duration: about 10 minutes
A good visual and aural way to reinforce Kodaly based rhythm syllables.
Use after the students are familiar with ta, ti-ti,
ti-ka-ti-ka, to-o, and Z. The star facilitates reading left to right. Use the hearts to show that each card has two beats.This game offers many variations (and you will think of more...).
Duration: about 10 minutes
WOOF CARDS
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A game to teach a quarter note and a quarter rest
My young students love this game. They never seem to tire of the opportunity of ”woofing”! For me it is a very sneaky way to teaching quarter rests.
Print 2 copies of pages 2 & 3 on card stock. Cut one page in three rows, the other in squares.
1.Start with just the 3 strips of dog cards, noting that where there is no dog, students must not say “woof”.
2. Add the 3 strips of rhythm cards, showing how they match.
3. Finally have the students, in turn, put down the dog picture squares and find the appropriate rhythm square to put underneath it. Then all read the completed puzzle.
For added fun many variations could be made with other animals saying oink, neigh, baa ...then put them all together! A noisy endeavour!
Duration: 10 minutes
My young students love this game. They never seem to tire of the opportunity of ”woofing”! For me it is a very sneaky way to teaching quarter rests.
Print 2 copies of pages 2 & 3 on card stock. Cut one page in three rows, the other in squares.
1.Start with just the 3 strips of dog cards, noting that where there is no dog, students must not say “woof”.
2. Add the 3 strips of rhythm cards, showing how they match.
3. Finally have the students, in turn, put down the dog picture squares and find the appropriate rhythm square to put underneath it. Then all read the completed puzzle.
For added fun many variations could be made with other animals saying oink, neigh, baa ...then put them all together! A noisy endeavour!
Duration: 10 minutes
TUNE TRAVELS BOARD GAMES (set one)
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These board games feature only one subject at a time, allowing a teacher to really focus attention on a particular musical concept.
The easy version of the games plays like Bingo with the teacher, and later a student, as the caller. They take about 20 minutes to play.
The advanced version involves students choosing command cards and moving markers around the board until they have covered all the squares on their board. It takes about 1/2 hour to play.
Each set includes command cards, blank cover cards and colourful markers to be printed and cut out.
I have used these games for many years and found that students benefitted greatly from the opportunity to focus on and practice one particular concept. Before long and almost without realizing it, they have learned it!
The easy version of the games plays like Bingo with the teacher, and later a student, as the caller. They take about 20 minutes to play.
The advanced version involves students choosing command cards and moving markers around the board until they have covered all the squares on their board. It takes about 1/2 hour to play.
Each set includes command cards, blank cover cards and colourful markers to be printed and cut out.
I have used these games for many years and found that students benefitted greatly from the opportunity to focus on and practice one particular concept. Before long and almost without realizing it, they have learned it!
