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| Keeping the Beat! |
Sometimes it is hard for young children to understand the difference between the beat and the rhythm. Here is an easy way to help your class learn the difference. You can give them a big stretchy Chinese jump rope. I sewed about 3 ropes together so the entire class could use the rope at the same time. Then have them sing a song while keeping the beat to the music. The class can instantly see if their rope is going up or down at the same time with the rest of the class and you can assess which children are not on the beat. Then have the class tap the rhythm of a simple song on their knees. The class will see with their eyes a visual picture of the rope demonstrating the difference between beats and rhythms. Repeat the activity with a variety of songs until they can keep the beat together.
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5 comments:
I like the idea of using the rope, but can you explain what do they do with the rope while the music is playing?
Good question. 1st the class needs to understand the difference between a beat and a rhythm, I have the students practice rhythm patterns (rhythms that match the words of the song) and then practice the song again only tapping the beat of a song. The rope is used to visually show the class that the steady beat always stays the same in a song when they tap the beat of a song. The rope also will show the class that the rope stops and goes again when they tap the rhythms of a song. So the rope movements allows the class to visually see if the beat or the rhythm so they can compare the beat verses the rhythm. Small chill tend to tap the rhythm and have a hard time finding the beat. The rope activity clearly allow the the class to see if everyone is keeping a steady beat and allows the teacher to assess which students still need help. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you again. Sherry :)
Thanks for writing a detail answer :) I am an early childhood teacher and I also share the same philosophy of adding fun to my classes. I am a fan of your page and I´d like to learn more about it. Can you share your email address, please? Thanks!
Hi Rossana, Thanks for your feedback. It's great that you share the philosophy of having fun with your preschool. I teach music class for preschool love that age group. It would be great to chat sometime. Here is my email sherrystucki@aim.com Thanks Sherry Stucki :)
Thank you great explanation
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