Do you have favorite activities to teach rhythm and counting? There are so many methods for counting rhythm. From the traditional ‘1 and 2 and’ system to the ‘ta, ti-ti’ Kodaly syllables, and beyond.
There could certainly be a debate about the most effective counting method for teaching rhythms. But, in the end, I think they all have their benefits. In this blog post, though, I want to talk about using words to teach rhythm.
Why use activities to teach rhythm with words
- We already know words. Your students already know how to say simple words and phrases. Those words are like little rhythm puzzles waiting to be unlocked. For example, have your students say ‘apple pie’. They will hear the rhythm of eighth-eighth-quarter. Could they say ‘apple pie’ with a different rhythm? Sure, and they would have fun hearing how saying the word with the wrong rhythm would make it sound weird.
- Words are everywhere. Encouraging your students to think about the rhythm of words opens the door for them to hear rhythms in daily life after they leave your class. Maybe when they leave your class they’ll notice the rhythm in other words. You might be surprised!
- Tricky rhythms become easier more quickly. Pair something your students don’t understand (a new rhythm) with something they already know (a word or phrase). It can instantly bridge the gap from ‘I can’t play that’ to being able to accurately play the new rhythm!
- Fun and creativity. Counting with numbers can get boring fast for kids. Adding words, especially with activities like rhythm composition and silly sentences, makes rhythm fun again!
Why not to teach rhythm only with words
Using words to count rhythms is a bit controversial- at least among piano teachers. And there’s a good reason for that! If we only teach rhythm with words, it can become nearly impossible to read more than one rhythm at a time.
I do think there is important value in exploring a standard counting system with students. Especially once they have a basic understanding of different rhythms.
That said, let’s explore ways to make rhythms easier to understand and more fun for your students with these word-based activities!
Setting up the activities
These activities to teach rhythm work great together as centers set up around the classroom. They’re also all appropriate for private lessons.
Silly Sentences
Who doesn’t love tongue twisters and silly sayings?
- Give students a sentence or tongue twister
- Give them rhythm options for whatever rhythms you’d like them to practice. An easy example would be – quarter, and beamed eighths.
- Challenge them to create the rhythm of the ‘silly sentence’ (see the image below).
- Have your students say the sentence while they tap the rhythm to check if they got it right.
For example, the tongue twister ‘she sells sea shells by the sea shore’ could be 4 quarter notes, 2 eighth notes, 2 quarter notes.
Another fun option is to ask your students a question like ‘What did you have for lunch?’. Then ask them to create the rhythm of their answer.
For example, ‘peanut butter sandwich’ could be 4 eighths followed by 2 quarter notes.
Rhythm Sort
A rhythm sort is just what it sounds like – you sort the words into their different rhythms. For example, apple and candy could both be sorted with the paired eighth notes. Tree and chair could be sorted as quarter notes.
You can do a rhythm sort activity on a worksheet with just a list of words and a box for each rhythm to write the words in. Or you can use manipulatives to actually sort the words.
To do a manipulative rhythm sort activity you will need:
- Flashcards or task cards with the rhythms you want to practice
- Cards with words and/or pictures that go with the rhythms.
For example:
Ask students to place all of the words that sound like 4 sixteenth notes with the image of 4 sixteenth notes, and all of the words that sound like a quarter note, with the image of a quarter note.
Asking them to chant the words, or tap as they say them will help if they’re having trouble.
Rhythm Composition with Manipulatives
Rhythm composition with words is one of the easiest ways to introduce composition in music lessons. It is approachable (especially using manipulative cards) for most ages and levels.
Variations of the activity:
- Worksheet: Provide a worksheet with 4 or 8 boxes as well as a list of words and their rhythms. Ask students to write a rhythm and its word in each box. They can play or clap their composition when finished.
- Manipulatives: This is a more engaging version than worksheets, and works best in centers and private lessons. Give students rhythm cards with words and images (you can find pre-made ones here). Ask them to arrange the cards in any order they wish to create their own rhythm composition. Have them say and play/clap their composition when they’re done!
- Review meter and time signatures: Use the same manipulatives, but give students a time signature. Ask them to create one or two measures in that time signature using the rhythm/word cards.
- Review simple form: For older students, ask them to use the cards to create a simple ternary / ABA rhythm composition. They can say and play/clap the rhythm when done.
Can your students come up with their own words to go with the rhythms you give them?
Those are three activities to teach rhythm using words. Next time you have students struggling with a new (or old) rhythm, why not challenge them with one of these fun rhythm activities?
