You don't need drums to play percussion; you can use your own body. Second graders use body percussion to make four-beat rhythms and play patterned clapping games. When they are finished they discuss beats, patterns, rhythm, and rhyme.

Kindergarteners sing the song, "What's New With Me" adding rhythm with each go around. They clap, tap, and sing along with the teacher. Note: The song or song lyrics are not included.

Students explore the elements of tempo, beat and rhythm. They create rhythm patterns and an original dance. In groups, students perform their phrases for their peers. As a class, they explore choreographic principles, processes and...

Students imitate rhythmic patterns created by the teacher or taken from the drum performance of "Oshossi." They study and perform some of the layered and interlocking rhythms of the drum ensembles of Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, Suriname, and...

Students review the concept of rhythm and this instructional activity looks at some specific sound devices in the study of music. They focus on assonance, consonance, and alliteration. Students define the concept of rhythm and give...

Students repeat patterns while listening to music. In this patterning lesson, students listen to a pattern on a tape of music and reproduce it by clapping or stamping their feet. They listen to stories about famous composers.

Fifth graders observe and demonstrate different rhythmic patterns including combinations of quarter and rest notes. They discuss how rhythm is created by using quarter and rest notes, clap to a rhythmic pattern, write a rhythm, and...

Students research the history of rap and gain an understanding of the components of rap music. They experience the correlation between Shakespeare's poetry and rap music of today.

First graders practice rhythm and beat. In this music lesson plan, 1st graders sing and clap to the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy".  They find the rhythm of the music and practice making rhythm with other instruments.

Second graders experience artistic perception of rhythm in music and see how to move their bodies and tap their sticks to the rhythm of a particular song.

Students identify the letter names of notes, demonstrate simple rhythms, and combine the two to play short melodic phrases using Bug Band. They create their own melodies and play them using Bug Band and various instruments.

Rather than just shouting out commands on what to do with a parachute, turn some music on and make it a dance routine. This seems like a pretty cool way to engage young learners. Make a dome, hop, make waves, walk, twist, and shake that...

Learners utilize listening skills, singing, movement and rhythm instruments in various combinations to reinforce lesson concepts. They develop the ability to identify a steady beat and AB patterns found in a variety of traditional...

Students explore patterns in poetry. In this language arts lesson plan, students discuss rhythm in poetry. Students read poems and discuss the rhythm of each poem.

In this Caribbean music learning exercise, 8th graders read about the cultural background of the Caribbean nations and about the characteristics of the music. They examine call and response, ostinato, and syncopated rhythms. They answer...

In this music activity, students investigate the history of music and the musical style of the Caribbean islands. Students read a 1 page information sheet about the region and its music. Students answer 8 questions.

Students research the Incan civilization. In this Incan civilization lesson, students study the geography of the Andes mountains and play an Andean siku. Students discuss how the sounds of nature influenced their musical piece.

Students work as a class to compose an original four-measure rhythm. After a brief review of a sight reading Gordon rhythm patterns, students compose their own rhythm with each student selecting a part for the composition. All...

Students identify three of the essential elements of music: rhythm, melody and harmony. They discover a simple song which will illustrate these three elements separately and bring them together in a final form. They analyze and critique...

Students perform basic tumbling activities.  In this movement lesson, students practice tumbling and balancing moves while listening to music.  Students are "frozen" into place while in certain positions.

First graders investigate musical notes. In this music lesson, 1st graders discuss the values of each note by counting the beats accordingly.

"People Everyday" offers class members an opportunity to develop their literacy analysis skills and to develop media literacy. Guided by an included list of discussion questions, groups examaine the word choice, literary devices used,...

Students explore vocal music techniques.  In this vocal music lesson, students follow a series of warmup exercises modeled by the teacher, then participate in specific breathing and vocalizing exercises.

Students figure out rhythm notation for phrases describing the benefits of broccoli. They compose four-measure patterns using the rhythms of these phrases.