How to Use Rhythm Packets
We all know that rhythm is imperative to a solid understanding of music. It is through practice and comprehension that students become rhythm experts. This rhythm packet guides students step by step to a thorough understanding of rhythm. Once students comprehend, they can build fluidity with regular practice and metronome use.
Here are some ways to use this packet:
1. Have students write in counting
Being able to write in the counting helps students to comprehend and stop guessing at rhythms. You can have students write in all of the counting, or just select lines. This packet subdivides notes when writing counting. I suggest you use this system in the beginning, but feel free to adapt to your counting system.
2. Have students clap and count the rhythms
Clapping and counting is an easy way for teachers to visually monitor how students are doing. It also allows students to focus on the rhythms without the added complexity of playing an instrument.
3. Have students play the rhythms on their instrument
Playing develops fluidity and ultimately the ability to better sight read rhythms.
4. Assess students
You can simply have students clap and count a rhythm line for an assessment or you can create a Google Form, Boom Cards, rhythmic dictation, there are myriad ways to assess
5. Create games
Making simple games out of the rhythms is engaging for students. Here are just a few ways to gamify your rhythms:
Have sections compete to see which section can clap and count a line most accurately
Have one group clap and count/play all of the even numbered measures and another group clap and count the odd numbered measures
Play rhythmic dictation battleship—Have a “caller” (could be a student or the teacher). The caller claps a rhythm in a specific square and the rest of the class has to guess the square by identifying the row letter and column number.
Have students read the rhythms backwards or down a column rather than straight across the rows.
From one band room nerd to another, have fun and enjoy your students’ sequential rhythmic success! Now go nerd out!
