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By Jason Litt
The NFL season is BACK! Your older grade level kids will love RED ZONE
RHYTHMS!
Students will see an NFL team and their corresponding mascot and the students will have to spell out the team and mascot combo with that's right... RHYTHM!
The students will have to decipher the rhythmic syllables using triplets, eighth note pairs, and quarter notes. The rhythm will be shown on the animation on the next slide.
There are 14 teams with 14 unique rhythms that the students will have to decipher. Here comes the kickoff!
Hi Fi - An Original Tubano/Djembe/Tambourine Percussion Composition!
By Jason Litt
In "Hi-Fi", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands, especially in the selected meter of 3/4
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
Poison Rests Level 1 - a new TWIST on a classic rhythm game!
By Jason Litt
If you've ever played Poison Pattern/Poison Rhythm or similar, you already know how it goes. Give the students a set of rhythms to play but one of them is the poison rhythm, which the students should NOT play. If they are, they're either out, lose points, or the teacher gains points (if you're playing against the class)
In this new twist, it's the same premise as students will play back each set of rhythms one-by-one as given by the teacher. However, there will be one rhythm that has a rest on a specific beat (beat 1, 3, 5, whichever the slide specifies)
AVOID THAT RHYTHM AT ALL COSTS!
So for instance, the students may play any rhythm, but avoid the rhythm that has a rest on Beat Number 2
Advance the slide and your students will see various rhythms composed of quarter notes and eighth notes _with the quarter rest landing on different beats.
_...just avoid playing the rhythm on BEAT NUMBER 2!
There are five different levels of rhythms all composed of the quarters and paired eighth sets with the rests switching back and forth between beats. All you need to do is give the students a four beat prep, then they'll read it back (either vocally, with rhythm sticks, classroom instruments, etc)
Wanna make it harder?
Have a great time with the new version of a classic game!
Level 2, sixteenth note patterns and eighth note rests coming soon!
Remember Me, Ernesto de la Cruz - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a tune that's sure to get your kids singing and bouncing right along -- from the smash hit "Coco", ready for Dia de los Muerte... here's "Remember Me, Ernesto de la Cruz"!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
The track can be found here to play right along:
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Angry Birds Theme - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Need to connect with your kids with their video game music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with the Theme from Angry Birds
There is one color coded slide along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)
This is a great resource for your beginning bucket drummers as it's only one page long with a lot of repeated passages and rudimentary rhythms!
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DehK\_Y0TUbE
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
By Jason Litt
The follow-up to "Rhythm Wind Up and PITCH! and MELODY Wind Up and PITCH!"
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This one will get the kids on their edge of their seats!
You will need 1 thing for this particular game:
The students will see an instrument at the bottom of their screen and memorize the timbre of the instrument (should know beforehand what it is and how it sounds!) They will then hear a musical example of an endless loop of orchestral and band instruments playing in all different ranges from low to high (Teacher will click the speaker icon to play)
Take a listen...
....
....
One of the instruments will be the instrument that is on the screen. AS SOON AS THEY HEAR THAT INSTRUMENT, they throw their suction cup ball at the target. The first kid who gets it correct is the winner (and make sure you advance the slide to make the target turn green) :)
Obviously, we cannot play this as a class because of
The amount of suction cup balls tossed at the screen would be insane
Team A v Team B would be a bit more competitive and only two balls would be launched at once
If you don't have a whiteboard/projection screen, you can alternatively have the students raise their hand when they hear it and choose the kid who has their hand up the fastest.
Have a great time with this fast paced game!
DYNAMIte! A DYNAMIC Tubano composition!
By Jason Litt
In "DYNAMITE!", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa using an array of dynamics that will give your kids a challenge!
Using your classroom Djembe, Tubanos, and Tambourines, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands, especially in the selected meter of 6/8
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)
MM suggested at 140-150, but you can take it as fast or as slow as you wish
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
The Early Bird - an original Tubano composition!
By Jason Litt
In "The Early Bird", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands, especially with trickier syncopations!
The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)
At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?
Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!
Have a terrific time with this one :)
Radetzky March, J Strauss (VADrum) - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a classical throwback made popular by the YouTube influencer VADrum -- here's his cover of the "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss!
There are five all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2 or 3 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
The orchestral mp3 track with background drums can be found here:
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
______________________
Looking for even MORE Rhythm Basketball pieces? Find 'em here!
By Jason Litt
In this new game where your students will have the fastest eye, Rhythm Waldo teachers your kids their aural theory in this fast paced activity!
Directions
Print out the included powerpoint on 8.5"x11" cardstock, as many copies as you'd like, and assign to a group of students, individual students, or however you'd like to play. Each cardstock pair have 12 different rhythms on them and they'll lay all the rhythms out on the floor in front of them. The rhythms will be simple, all comprised of quarter notes, eighth note pairs, and quarter rests _(would be ideal for 2nd-5th graders)
_
You will then play an audio example of a rhythm and the students will have to find which rhythm you played (by of course, searching through all 12 of their rhythms, while maintaining the rhythm in their head). The first one to hold it up is deemed the winner!
You can play this individually, team vs team, boys vs girls, however you wish!
There are 12 examples (and some of them may end up repeating!)
Have a great time with this!
Dance the Night [CLEAN], Dua Lipa (Barbie Movie) - BUCKET DRUMMING!
By Jason Litt
Need to connect with your kids with their 2023 pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with the #1 smash movie of the summer and current chart topper by Dua Lipa in "Dance the Night"!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!
All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or ther auxiliary instrument)
Here's the track so you can play along...
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Terms of Use:
All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.
__________________________________
*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!
Minecraft Theme (TRAP Remix) - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a tune that's sure to get your bouncing right along -- a trap remix of the theme from MINECRAFT!
There are two all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
Here's the track so you can play along...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL4i9FKuiEA
Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!
Write the Room - EMOJI Edition!
By Jason Litt
In a fast-paced game geared up to get your upper level elementary school students excited, we present to you "Write the Room - EMOJI Edition!"
The game is simple as ever. Scattered around your music room are 12 rhythms (which you can cut out and affix anywhere you'd like) with a corresponding emoji attached to the rhythm.
You will make teams (or play individually!) and a pair of students from each team.
You will then play a sound clip for all of the students to hear. Their job is to listen to the clip, think of the rhythm in their head, and race around the room to find the emoji with the rhythm that they just heard!
The students race back to the board and presses on the emoji they think they heard (there will be a multiple choice of three rhythms, which one of them is the correct on). You will advance the slide and the correct emoji rhythm will turn green.
Play this through 12 rounds and keep score of which team wins or you can do it as an individual assessment. The kids LOVE this as they are assessing themselves by listening to the rhythm, remembering it, and identifying it somewhere in the room.
Have a great time with this one!
Wellerman (TikTok) REMIX - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with a tune that's sure to get your kids singing and bouncing right along dwith the smash hit "The Wellerman - TRAP Remix"
There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4 times).
For this, your students will each have a basketball (can be regulation size or smaller) and bounce their ball on the ground each time they see a basketball icon. Each basketball icon is denoted as a quarter note. The rests are in between each ball for the students to hold the ball.
There's also a "pat" icon with a hand below the basketball icon itself, so you will have the student hold the basketball in one hand and pat the ball on the beat
Here's the track so you can play along...
Rhythm Star (a rhythm reading and independence game!)
By Jason Litt
Looking for a great beginning of the year activity that'll get some of your older kids involved?
In "Rhythm Star", students will see eight boxes stacked vertically. The box on the left is for their left hand, the box on the right is for their right hand. In each box will be a series of dots, either filled in, or blank.
A dot that is filled in will be one sound to the beat, a dot that is left blank will be no sound (read as a rest).
Students will read the rhythm from the top to bottom (vertically) with assigned instruments on their left hand and right hand. For this activity, Artie's stickstations come in handy, so have the students use a pad as their left implement and a tambourine as their right.
Read down the rhythms from top to bottom, and advance the slides once the class masters the rhythms with their left and right hand simultaneously! As the students progress through the game, there are 5 levels of difficulty
Quarter notes
Eighth notes
Quarter rests
Poly-rhythms (this one is FUN!)
Triplets
Play this with some music in the background, either an instrumental track 100-120bpm or some of their favorite pop music as they play along and master the rhythms only to continue to advance in the level.
The class is awarded 50 points each time an example is playing correctly in unison. A fun and competitive way for your younger kids to practice sight reading rhythms!
Keepy Uppy (from "Bluey") - RHYTHM BASKETBALL!
By Jason Litt
RHYTHM BASKETBALL is in with the popular theme from the "Keepy Uppy" episode of Bluey, a fan favorite amongst elementary schoolers from K-5!
There are four all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2 or 4 times).
Here's the track so you can play along...
Rhythm Star (a game for rhythm practice and independence!)
By Jason Litt
Looking for a great anytime of the year activity to get your upper grade level kids engaged? In Rhythm Star, students will see eight boxes stacked vertically. The box on the left is for their left hand, the box on the right is for their right hand. In each box will be a series of dots, either filled in, or blank (counted as a rest).
Each box represents one beat and each dot represents one sound.
Students will read the rhythm from the top to bottom (vertically) with both hands simultaneously performing the rhythms.
For this activity, Artie's stickstations come in handy, so have the students use a pad as their left hand percussion instrument and a tambourine as their right hand percussion instrument. You can situate these on the floor, table, or desk (completely adaptable!)
Read down the rhythms from top to bottom, and advance the slides once the class masters the rhythms with their left and right hand simultaneously! As the students progress through the game, there are 5 levels of difficulty:
Level 1: Quarter Notes
Level 2: Eighth Notes
Level 3: Quarter rests
Level 4: Poly-rhythms (this one is FUN!)
Level 5: Triplets
Play this with some music in the background, either an instrumental track 100-120bpm or some of their favorite pop music as they play along and master the rhythms only to continue to advance in the level.
The class is awarded 50 points each time an example is played correctly in unison. A fun and competitive way for younger kids to practice sight reading rhythms and gain independence in both hands!
Orff Jeopardy! (A fully interactive review game)
By Jason Litt
Reviewing Orff with your kids? This may be the game format you're looking for!
An authentic jeopardy game board with categories that students can elect to pick!
The amounts, as imagined, are $200, $400, $600, $800, or $1000 answers.
After clicking on the amount, the answer will appear on the next slide.
Hand Me a Note - Discussing the pitches on the Orff instruments
Technique - Techniques on Orff instruments (middle of the bar, "handlebars", etc)
Mallet Madness - Descriptions and anatomy of mallets (rubber, yarn, wood)
Family Time! - The instruments within the family from the Bass all the way to the Glockenspiel
Students (keeping in true Jeopardy! fashion) can answer in the form of a question
"What is a Soprano"
"What is Yarn"
"What is C"
After the money is awarded (You can split sides of your class, boys vs girls, class vs class, however you want it!), there is a link in the bottom right hand corner to go back to the title screen and game board.
After extracting the ZIP file, make sure to install the Jeopardy! font included, or else you'll see random characters all over -- not good eats!
Email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com or leave a comment if you have any questions. Happy Jeopardy...ing!
Rhythm Color Lineup (an active listening rhythm game!)
By Jason Litt
In Rhythm Color Lineup, students all receive a baggie of six cards (you can just cut out Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple cards from construction paper) to use to decipher the rhythm being played.
They will then listen to a musical example of a rhythm with notes shown on their colored cards (although their cards will be blank, but be representative of the rhythm)...but they’re not in the right order!
The students will then line up your colors from left to right as you hear the rhythm being played, and check your answer afterward by advancing the slide!
All slides include the embedded sound file in it (with 8 beats of prep before the rhythm example) and you get 10 examples to illustrate for your kids
Have a colorful time with this one!
By Jason Litt
With “Rhythms Around the Horn”, students will see four rhythm squares on the powerpoint (or PDF), all of them containing different rhythms.
For starters, have the entire class perform rhythm 1 (with instruments, vocalizing, clapping, patting, etc), then rhythm 2, then 3, and then finally 4.
After students understand the rhythms, then you can have the rhythms all be performed several different ways...
There are 4 levels of rhythms all with increasing difficulty
Have a great time with this!