Tell the students that we will now learn an Essential Song. Inform the students that the Essential Song is a very important song that we will sing, play and memorize. We will learn the rhythm and pitches of the Essential Song and learn to play the song on the xylophone.
Teach the song by rote or have the students listen and sing along to the music while the students keep the beat.
Have the students pat the beat on their lap and echo you by saying the beat is steady.
Play the song and invite students to sing along and pat the beat while the you point to the word BEAT on the screen.
Have the students tap their fingers into their palm and echo you saying the words are the rhythm.
Invite students to sing the song again, but this time challenge them to tap the the words while you point to the word RHYTHM.
Lead the students in singing "One Potato" again patting the beat while you point to BEAT and then on the third phrase point to RHYTHM. The students will then continue singing and tap the rhythm.
Continue activity switching between BEAT and RHYTHM to challenge the students to correctly delineate between beat and rhythm.
For an extra challenge, use a blue and red rhythm stick. Assign one half of the class to be the blue group while the other half of the class is the red group. Start pointing with the red group the beat and the blue group the rhythm while singing the song. Sing the song again and switch your sticks. Repeat activity trying different combinations for extra fun!
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