Feel the Beat: Rhythm Foundations
Years 2-3 Music Exploring Steady Beat and Rhythm 45 minutes of musical fun!
What Will We Learn Today?
Understand the difference between steady beat and rhythm Keep a steady beat with our hands and bodies Play musical call-and-response games Work together as a musical team
Warm-Up: Feel Your Heartbeat
Place your hand on your chest Feel your heart beating steadily Now tap that beat with your other hand This is what we call a 'steady beat'!
Steady Beat vs Rhythm
{"left":"Steady Beat: Like your heartbeat - always the same\nNever changes or stops\nGoes: clap, clap, clap, clap","right":"Rhythm: The pattern of sounds\nCan be fast or slow, long or short\nGoes: clap-clap, pause, clap, clap-clap"}
Let's Practice Together!
Teacher claps steady beat: clap, clap, clap, clap Everyone join in! Now teacher claps rhythm: clap-clap, rest, clap, clap-clap Can you hear the difference?
Call-and-Response Game
Teacher claps a pattern Students listen carefully Students clap the same pattern back Start simple, then try harder patterns!
Group Challenge: Beat vs Rhythm
Group 1: Clap the steady beat Group 2: Clap the rhythm pattern Listen to how they work together! Then we'll switch groups!
Quick Check: What Am I Clapping?
Listen carefully to my clapping Is it a steady beat or a rhythm pattern? Show thumbs up for steady beat Show thumbs down for rhythm pattern
Reflecting on Our Learning
What was your favorite part of today's lesson? Can you clap a steady beat for us? What makes rhythm different from steady beat? How did it feel to work as a musical team?
Remember
Music is all around us - in our heartbeat, in our footsteps, and in the rhythms we create together!
More Rhythm slide decks
Other ready-to-teach decks on rhythm.
Free Rhythm images
Drop these illustrations straight into your lesson.
