Music: Rhythm and Melodies

First graders explore the notion of upward and downward melody motion. They hum, sing, and listen as the melody moves up and down. To show what they know, they put their thumbs up or down as the melody shifts.

First graders get ready for Halloween while engaging in a spirited sing-along. They sing the song "Halloween" along with the teacher as they clap to keep rhythm with the music. Note: This song or song lyrics are not included. 

Keeping a steady beat, singing soft, loud, and in unison - sounds like music class to me! First graders practice these skills while listening to the song, "I Mailed Myself to You" for Valentine's Day. This is a simple and age appropriate...

Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups. 

Show your school spirit! Class members use instruments or sing along and employ what they have learned in the two previous lessons to perform their school's songs.

What are the musical elements that characterize a school's fight song or its alma mater? Class members listen to examples of fight songs and alma maters from various schools, play a listening game, and then create a list of the...

Your class can actually sing and clap along with this slideshow! Discuss the concept of rhythm or pulse, as it is called here. Learners will then clap out the rhythm to the songs, Fre-re Jacques and Row, Row, Your Boat.

Learn about rounding by reciting songs alongside classmates, discovering the difference between singing together and singing in canon. In this musical lesson plan, students discover what a "round" is and the melodic effect it can have on...

Students listen, clap, compose and identify various rhythms.  In this rhythm lesson, students practice rhythm with rhythm cards.  Students become familiar with stick notation. Students glue Popsicle sticks to illustrate rhythms.

Young singers learn how to notate the rhythms and melodies of a familiar song using Kodaly hand signals and manipulatives. Individuals then create their own compositions and sing them using Kodaly notation.