Drums, wood blocks, rhythm sticks, and tambourines: one for each child
Manipulatives, such as bean bags, blocks, erasers, buttons, pompoms, etc.
Instructions
Sit in a circle. Today, we are going to organize the steady beat. Distribute rhythm instruments. On a drum, echo-play quarter notes in 4/4 time. Place an accent on the first beat as the strong beat.
Solos: Give each person in the circle an opportunity to play a 4-beat solo, accenting the first beat (without damaging the instrument). Check accuracy of each solo.
Echo-play quarter notes in 3/4 time. Place an accent on the first beat as the strong beat.
Solos: Give each person in the circle an opportunity to play a 3-beat solo, accenting the first beat. Check accuracy of each solo.
Introduce the "It's About Time" Instructional Video.
Listen to the song.
Sing the song together. Play your instruments during the counting sections.
Composition Challenge: A time signature's top number tells how many beats are in each measure. The bottom number tells what kind of note gets the steady beat. Distribute manipulatives to create groups of four beats and groups of three beats. One manipulative equals one quarter note. Add a quarter rest in place of a quarter note, if desired!
Composition Challenge using a 4/4 time signature: How many beats can be played in this measure? (4) Using your manipulatives, create groups of four. How many measures can you make? Can you add a quarter rest? Let's play your composition on the instruments.
Composition Challenge using a 3/4 time signature: How many beats can be placed in this measure? (3). Using your manipulatives, create groups of three. How many measures can you make? Can you add a quarter rest? Let's play your composition on your instruments.
Perform. Divide the class into groups of four for 4/4 time signatures and groups of three for 3/4 time signatures. Stand up to sing and play your instruments when it is your turn in the song. Everyone can stand up to sing: It's about time. It's about meter. You ought to try a meter on for size.
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