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The "Big Kid" Rhythm Bundle (Grades 3-6) **30% OFF!**
By Jason Litt
Included in these rhythm bundle are 25 resources that you can utilize in grades 3-6. Games, dictation, worksheets, races, and more are in this bundle as the resources discuss longer rhythmic patterns, sixteenth notes, triplets, and long durations of rests.
Definitely a semester filler in here, terrific for reinforcing your 2nd half of the year with some of your upper grades, and with 30% off when bundled together, it's a sale you can't beat!
Wreck it Rhythm! (Level 2 - Whole and Half Notes)
By Jason Litt
Based on the new movie, Wreck it Ralph, a new Disney/Pixar Movie coming out in November about a video game character, Wreck-it Ralph, who has been doing the same job for 30 years... Which is basically wrecking a building into pieces with his fists. Wreck-it Rhythm is a music game where you’re going to get to destroy a fictitious dilapidated 29th street beat building Ralph is fueled by Rhythm, and the class is the one to give it to him... Read a variety of rhythms on the screen below in a variety of different ways... Everyone will receive a pair of lummi sticks and when you see the rhythm, you will play that rhythm on the correct area (H, M, K) If the entire class plays the rhythm correctly, you will start destroying those bricks! (just advance the powerpoint) For quarter and eighths, have the students click together the rhythm sticks normally, but for wholes I have them hit it, swing it back, and swing it up (and count to 4 at the same time). For halves, I have them hit it normally but rebound from the sticks and say "SLO - MO" (half note duration). You can find neat ways for them to count these whole notes and half notes too! Gets the kids REALLY engaged! They try to get the highest score! Put some 8-bit music on with a MM = 120 or less Enjoy!
By Jason Litt
A brand new approach to the Recorder System! I use original and simple compositions for this one which I use this with my 3rd graders. We start off simple and get into more technical things along the way -- scaffolding made simple!. I find it's more beneficial than just teaching them 3 or 4 notes as I like to cultivate them a little more by discovering new notes, rhythms, and phrases. This includes 12 original songs for all of your students and have fingering charts and tips and hints included on every slide! After you download this Powerpoint, please email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com and I will send you mp3 accompaniment files for all of the pieces (so you don't have to play along on the piano, and you can concentrate on assessing) :)
By Jason Litt
The objective of this fun 8-bit game styled in powerpoint format is to have students name notes on the treble clef staff. Students each take turns naming notes as fast as possible, all in the spirit of a collaborative effort for their class. The slide carries the note in question, with a block [?]. When the student states the correct answer, the answer appears on the next slide, and repeat from there on out through the rest of the class. The faster they do this, the more they see the gameplay progress and go through different levels. We start out on the line notes, EGBDF, get into the FACE notes in the second world, and then do a mix of them in the 3rd world until the class reaches the end at 100000 points! Don't worry, a follow up product is coming soon, this is just Part 1 :) There's a 3 minute 8-bit mashup background track included in this download to play for the students to make it feel like a real video game. When the 3 minute track is over, the game ends and you can tally up their score and continue the next time in music class. Concerning management, it'd be up to the teacher to allow students to pass the note in question, or have a neighbor help them out. If you'd like to see a sped-up version of this game (don't worry, this will go slowly unless your kids are blazing fast at naming notes!), please view the link below http://youtu.be/xMufSSTh6FQ This lesson can span weeks and months depending on how often you play it and the level of mastery of notation with your kids. If you have any questions, please let me know. Have fun with this!
By Jason Litt
Based on the new movie, Wreck it Ralph, a new Disney/Pixar Movie coming out in November about a video game character, Wreck-it Ralph, whohas been doing the same job for 30 years... Which is basically wrecking a building into pieces with his fists. Wreck-it Rhythm is a music game where you’re going to get to destroy a fictitious dilapidated 29th street beat building Ralph is fueled by Rhythm, and the class is the one to give it to him... Read a variety of rhythms on the screen below in a variety of different ways... Everyone will receive a pair of lummi sticks and when you see the rhythm, you will play that rhythm on the correct area (H, M, K) If the entire class plays the rhythm correctly, you will start destroying those bricks! (just advance the powerpoint) Gets the kids REALLY engaged! They try to get the highest score! Put some 8-bit music on with a MM = 120 or less Enjoy!
Lightning Violin - Learn How to Play Violin
By Jason Litt
This is a curriculum I use in grades 3, 4, and 5. We have a full set of violins at our school and we learn notation, rhythms, and notes through an original curriculum called "Lightning Violin". The students all learn the songs together and then an individual student plays the song by themselves for assessment. If they play it correctly, I give them a "bolt" on their chart. It gets very competitive and the students really respond well and practice as hard as they can to get their next bolt. You can make a powerpoint chart or a physical chart and draw a bolt or create one in powerpoint. Included with this are the mp3 files accompaniment files that go along with the powerpoint. Please email me after purchase and I will send you the mp3 files! jasonlitt@gmail.com Enjoy!
By Jason Litt
Five jamming Boomwhacker arrangements for your classroom! Each Boomwhacker is assigned an 8 beat rhythm, most different than others. This gives kids opportunities to reinforce their own rhythms while playing in an ensemble. If you want to explore a different method, you can split half of the class on one rhythm, and the other half on a different. You could play them in a round, canon, explore different dynamics, loop it -- the possibilities are endless! And with 5 different compositions, you'll have the freedom to explore without getting tired of the same arrangement. This can also be used with non-pitched and even pitched percussion. Included is a 5 minute African drum groove to get your kids going. Have fun -- here comes the boom!
Lightning Violin 2013 (Part 2)
By Jason Litt
Here's the follow-up to the 2012 Lightning Violin! (link below) http://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lightning-Violin-Learn-How-to-Play-Violin-478845 This is a curriculum I use in grades 3, 4, and 5. We have a full set of violins at our school and we learn notation, rhythms, and notes through an original curriculum called "Lightning Violin". The students all learn the songs together and then an individual student plays the song by themselves for assessment. If they play it correctly, I give them a "bolt" on their chart (which I save in powerpoint). It gets very competitive and the students really respond well and practice as hard as they can to get their next bolt. This particular version focuses on learning the rhythms and notes without the aid of fingering charts or letters, which makes it a bit more challenging for students who have relied on that in the past. There are a few review slides before the songs that ensures students have everything they need to complete the program! It goes a little slower, but it's scaffolding made easy (White Belt is the easiest, Rainbow Belt the most challenging) Included with this are 9 mp3 files accompaniments (with a cool hip hop piano background!) along with the powerpoint in PDF format. Kids LOVE it! Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer them!
By Jason Litt
This is a competitive pitch matching name in powerpoint format. The learning goal is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to name pitches as fast as they can. We usually play this game 'around the world' style. We start off on the left side or right side of the the room and the first two people stand up and you flash a note on the screen. The student who gets the note correct gets to move onto the next child in the class while the other student sits. That student has to make their way through the entire class before being deemed champion... but they could be beat at ANY TIME! You can mix it up, left side, right side, boys/girls, etc. Kids get ultra competitive, especially in 5th grade.
By Jason Litt
In 2nd Grade, we start learning about high and low notes and how they are represented in notation by being placed on the staff.
In stick it to the staff, we have students all sit on the floor with a pair of lummi sticks and sight read rhythms based on where they are put on the staff.
If they see a quarter note on the "E" line, they will click their stick above their head, if they see a quarter note on the bottom "F" line, they will hit their sticks on the ground.
This is a video game format, and includes 10 levels of sight reading rhythms (about 100 different rhythms!) starting out with basic quarter notes, adding in eighth notes, half notes, quarter rests, and rounding out with dynamics.
The class is awarded 50 points (you'll see the HI SCORE image embedded in the powerpoint) each time an example is playing correctly in unison. A fun and competitive way for your younger kids to practice sight reading rhythms!
I usually put a background track on (about 90-110bpm) so the kids can play along :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
By Jason Litt
Working on aural theory with your kids? With "Rhythm Mixup" students shuffle up notecards with quarter notes, 2-beamed eighth notes, half notes, and quarter rests to reflect the musical example being played! We start off the first lesson (level 1) with a brief overview of rhythm from Quaver's Marvelous World of Music, and then head right into rhythm mixup. Students will lay out their notation cards (you can either print these out or have the students draw them on a whiteboard, etc), and then a musical example will be played. Students will have to put the notes in the order that they hear the music example -- hence, the "mixup"! Level 2, goes into quarter rests and the students will have to place it appropriately (hint: it's never at the beginning or end of the phrase!) :) Students identify rhythms upon hearing them and use their aural skills to dictate where each rhythm is placed. Make sure to play these several times, especially for the younger ones so they can check their work! Designed in Powerpoint 2007, all animations and transitions should work on machines that support it. A file is included for instructions on how to install fonts. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have fun!
By Jason Litt
Ready to talk about Forte and Piano in any of your grades? Drum it up, Dynamically will get your kids reading dynamics like a pro!
First, we start off with an introduction to Forte and Piano with a clip from Music K8's animated series (included), and then get into the game:
Students are issued hand drums (or djembes, tubanos, orff instruments, rhythm sticks, whatever you wish!) and dynamics are shown on the screen. Sometimes just 4 dynamics, sometimes 6, and even up to 8. The teacher points to the dynamic (optional) as the kids play along on their instruments while the background music (included) helps them keep on beat! After the students master the dynamics, the teacher advances the slide and dynamic shifts get a little harder each time.
Halfway through the presentation are rests (indicated by blank white boxes) to get the kids to count the notes of silence in between.
Have a ball with this and let me know if you have any questions!
Three tracks at various tempi are included (slow for the little kids, and medium and fast for the bigger kids)
By Jason Litt
Working on melodic direction in your unit? Reinforce it with "Connect the Dots!", a mix and match game that challenges your students to put the melodies in the correct order as you hear them. After starting off with a brief introduction to writing a melody from Quaver Music (video included), you begin the lesson and discuss melodic motion -- melodies can go up, down, or stay the same. For the activity, there will be 10 musical examples (provided and labeled) which you will play for your students. Each example has 3 or 4 melody tiles which are out of order. After listening to the example, your students have to put the tiles in order to reflect what they hear on the example. The first slide of the series will have blank grey boxes, and the following slide will have the answer for the students to check. For my 3rd graders, I usually play them a few times, but for my 5th graders they get it right on the spot! There a few ways to have the students answer -- they can come to the whiteboard and us a dry erase to indicate, they can put labeled cards on the floor, or they can use personal whiteboards to draw on. Or you can have it boys vs. girls, and make it a timed race! Included are a powerpoint file (with special fonts and instructions for installation) and a standalone PDF in case you prefer that way. Have a great time with this, and feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns!
By Jason Litt
So you've taught your kids their three basic solfege syllables (Sol, La, and Mi) and looking for a way to identify the pitches in an interactive game... look no further!
In Solfege Drag 'n Drop, students are challenged to identify Sol, La, and Mi in a series of musical examples. A static example of quarter notes (in groups of 4, 5, or 6) are placed on the "Sol" line, and then the example is played. Students will have to take the pen from the IWB to drag the remaining notes to reflect what was heard in the musical example. It can be dragged above to the "La" line, remain on the "Sol" line, or dragged below to the "Mi" line. After locking in their answer, the teacher will advance to the next slide to reveal their answer.
Although designed for an IWB, students can play on personal dry erase boards, on staff paper, or however you wish. You can even split the class up boys vs girls, team 1 vs team 2, etc, and have a race to identify the correct answer first.
There are 15 examples in the powerpoint ranging from beginner (4 quarter notes) to advanced (6 quarter notes). All examples are MM=100 or below
If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below! Happy Solfeging!
By Jason Litt
*** UPDATED: Revised the powerpoint and added Treble Clef to all slides! *** The lines and spaces of the staff have never been more competitive! A new form of a Jeopardy, the follow-up from the "Instrument Jeopardy" is NOTATION Jeopardy! An authentic jeopardy game board with categories for Treble Clef Notation Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the title slide. Students can elect to pick $200, $400, $600, $800, or $1000 answers. After clicking on the amount, the answer (a clue relating to the word) will appear on the next slide. Level 1 starts out easy with 3 to 4 letter words, but as we progress into Level 4, the words get a little more trickier -- along with the skips and steps between the lines and spaces! 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. Email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com or leave a comment if you have any questions. Happy Jeopardy...ing!
Turn up the Aux! (Identifying Auxiliary Percussion Instruments)
By Jason Litt
Percussion instruments are anything that you either hit, shake, or scrape, but that's not limited to just drums, rhythm sticks, and Orff instruments! Want to see how well your kids can identify which instruments are which? Try "Turning up the Aux!" where a musical example will be played of an auxiliary percussion instrument. Students will see three different instruments and will have to select one of the instruments they think matches the musical example. On the following slide will be the answer! In this 10 question game, you can play this any way you want -- boys vs girls, team vs team, individually, or have students write answers down on whiteboards or even come up to the board to interact with the powerpoint. Have a great time with this and leave a comment below if you have any questions!
Who am I -- Identifying Music Terminology!
By Jason Litt
Was that Presto or Largo? Staccato or Tenuto? Forte or Piano? Use "Who am I" to reinforce the music terminology you've been working on in your class! After a brief review, 6 musical examples will be played with all examples ascribing to either Presto or Largo, Staccato or Tenuto, and Forte or Piano. Students can do this in a variety of ways: -- On whiteboards and dry erase markers -- Through collaborative grouping or partner activity (using pre-cut cards as an idea -- On a SMARTboard or brightlink -- As a race (maybe boys vs girls, side A vs side B) After the example is played, you can advance the slide in the powerpoint to reveal the answer! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment in the Q&A or email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com!
By Jason Litt
Reviewing ALL notation with your kids? Letter names? Durations? Rests? The follow up to the original "Notation Jeopardy!" is Notation Jeopardy 2.0... (16). Well, happy new year, right? ;) All new categories, all new answers! An authentic jeopardy game board with categories for: Spell it out! (Spelling words with treble clef notation) Add it up! (Adding notation values up to arrive at an answer) Give it a rest! (Questions about rests, rest names, and durations) Duration nation (Identify duration of notes) Students can elect to pick $200, $400, $600, $800, or $1000 answers. After clicking on the amount, the answer will appear on the next slide. A text answer will first be visible, but if you advance the animation, the clue will enter the slide (when applicable). Students (keeping in true Jeopardy! fashion) can answer in the form of a question "What is 2 beats?" "What is a whole rest?" "What is FACE" 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!
By Jason Litt
Here's a great way to review the recorder fingerings and a terrific chance for you to use your IWB abilities! In "Recorder Mix n Match" students will see recorder fingerings on the left hand side of the board and blank answer boxes on the right hand side of the board All you do? Drag the recorder fingerings into the correct box! Want to check your answer? Advance the slide and the fingerings will pop up in the box below! This is the beginners version, great for your first few notes! Included are Low C, D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave a comment! Happy matching!
By Jason Litt
Learning the notes of the treble clef staff couldn't be more fun... and exhausting! In Presto Pitches - Rally Race, students are to stand behind a line in the music room (designated by the teacher). The teacher will control the powerpoint and advance the slide where a note "letter" will appear (A, C, Line E, Space F, etc) The student will be equipped with a laminated and magnetized cut out circle (you can make this yourself or they can use a dry erase marker, or some other implement) and race to the board to place the circle on the correct line or space that reflects the answer After their answer is locked in, the teacher advances the slide and the correct answer is shown. The team which answers first remains, and the team who answers second will have to pass off their circle to the next team member. Who wins first?! Ultra competitive! You can split it up boys vs girls, team 1 vs team 2, colors vs colors, however you wish! As the teacher, you can have them use any material, a "dot", "circle", "x", or simple note that's printed out. It just has to stick to the projection screen or whiteboard :) All up to you! Enjoy Presto Pitches - Rally Race, and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them!