Printed from the MusicK8.com Idea Bank

Using Animal Sounds To Teach Rhythm Reading / Multiple Parts

Submitted by Sandy Elder, Michigan

Idea posted 2002-02-19

Here's a lesson I did this week to teach rhythm reading, multiple parts, and note values.

WRITTEN ON THE BLACKBOARD:

Four measures of music written in four parts (stacked like music for multiple instruments or voices)

part 1 = quarter notes across (no rests). 16 notes
part 2 = eighth notes across (no rests). 16 pairs
part 3 = half notes across (no rests). 8 notes
part 4 = whole notes across (no rests). 4 notes

Distribute rhythm sticks (2 per kid). If you don't have sticks, clap eighths, wave halves, and rub hands on legs (sitting) for whole notes (or do a vocal). Do one long rub while counting beats.

STAND IN A CIRCLE.

Everybody walk the beat (in place and later moving) while listening to the song.
Add the sticks, but play eighth notes (while feet still walk the beat!).
Wave sticks in the air to one side for two counts, switch to the other side for two (halves).
Rub the sticks together for four counts for wholes, or add a vocal.
Move around in a circle "calling" out note names or beats, "beat," "half-beats," "2 beats," "4 beats," etc... always while keeping feet walking the steady beat!
Divide into four teams. Lay the sticks aside.

TEAM 1: The dogs! They are the kings of the neighborhood and are in charge of the beat of the song and must have a strong dog sound. "Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! etc..." while walking the beat.

TEAM 2: The cats! In high pitched voice "miew" or "meow" the eighth notes. "Miew-miew miew-miew miew-miew miew-miew..." or "Me-ow me-ow me-ow me-ow..."

TEAM 3: The sheep! Half notes. "Baaaa baaaa, etc..."

TEAM 4: The wolves! You guessed it, the whole notes! "Owooooooooo..."

Starting with the dogs, put all parts together one by one. The teacher is walking around to keep the kids walking the steady beat.
ROTATE! to the left.
The dogs chase the wolves out of their spots. All teams move left one spot and become the new animal. Give them a few moments to practice with their teammates.
Repeat...

TAKE IT TO THE BOARD.

Have them identify which lines of notes match the various animal sounds. If they have trouble, the teacher plays on her/his sticks or reads with "ta" and "ti-ti."

READ THE DIFFERENT NOTES.

The teacher sets the tempo and points to the first note of measure one (quarters) while the kids "bark" it.
Switch to eighths, "me-ow..." then halves, then wholes, kids doing the sounds while the teacher points.
The teacher now switches pointing her finger every measure or so while the kids follow along with their animal sounds.

LATER LESSONS:

Use instruments or singing to do the same thing, combining parts as able.