Teaching ideas for LIttle Hands On Rhythm in the Classroom

Fundamental Concepts

The goals for students, as outlined in fundamental concepts, coincide with the capabilities of the learning tool. Below is a list of the criteria that Little Hands On Rhythm would be able to assist with.

• reading simple rhythmic notation
• interpreting simple visual prompts
• demonstrating the difference between beat and rhythm 
• representing elements with manipulatives
• playing a musical instrument - percussion
• listening skills
• creating and performing

Elements of Music

The learning tool can be used to convey the concepts of duration, dynamics, timbre, texture, and form. The following comments describe the rhythmic components contained in the kit that pertain to the curriculum outline and suggest ways in which the learning tool can be used.  Please follow the video links shown for tutorial ideas. 

(other components in the  Basic Rhythm Kit: Basic Beats, Time Signatures- 2/4,3/4,4/4, Counting Numbers- 1,2,3,4, and Bar Lines.)

Note and Rest Duration  - as it relates to the quarter note as one beat or count.

• Whole Note
• Half Note
• Dotted Half Note
• Whole Note
• Eighth Notes
• Quarter Rest 
  
• Half Rest
• Whole Rest

Rhythm notation relates to math.  By learning about time signatures and note values students directly engage in math skills and problem-solving skills. An example of this would be knowing the possible note or rest values to make a bar of rhythm based on the time signature.  

Dynamics

The performance of rhythms can be used as a means to explore loud(f), soft(p), graduations in volume (crescendo, diminuendo) by implementing these concepts during the performance of rhythms with an instrument.

Timbre

By using diverse percussion instruments to play their rhythms students can hear the different tone qualities of instruments and are able to identify instruments accordingly. (drums, claves, shakers, bells, tambourines, triangles, etc).

Texture   

The rhythm board can be used to notate a rhythm that acts as an accompaniment to, or a notated representation of a single melodic line. It can be used to demonstrate the textural component of simple two-part rounds, and canons. The teacher can assign different simple rhythms to different groups. The students can see how texture is achieved as each groups' rhythm is added (layered). This exercise would heighten students listening and concentration skills.

Other Uses of LHOR

Little Hands On Rhythm shares integrated learning concepts with literacy and mathematics. Using numbers and counting the student's understanding of basic math functions (addition, subtraction) is reinforced.- The Little Hands On Rhythm can be used to explore the rhythmic characteristics of language through the use of poetry, rhyming words, and /or chants spoken or sung over notated rhythms. The resource could also be used to construct rhythms for bucket drumming and as a music center for students.

Please see our product list for our new rhythm extension packages.