I have a stack of carpet squares that I picked up from a design center that was closing. They were completely free and I use them all the time; sometimes for a friend who needs a defined space to stay within, other times for bass xylophone players to sit back on between songs. There are many options but I always have a set of four at the front of the room for rhythm activities.
Recently, we used them to discover two sounds on a beat. I play the rhythm of the words in a song that we are working on (this time Big Black Cats from First Grade Game Plan) and lead the kids in discovering the rhythm. I allow students to come up and gently rearrange the rhythm until we have matched it to the song. The kids love being a part of the people rhythm and reading people rhythms.
I have also used these carpet squares for carpet rhythms.
What a wonderful visual representation of eighth notes!! My students have struggled a little with understanding how quarter and eighth notes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!
Cheryl
http://lukacmusicclass.blogspot.com
Love this! I think this is a great visual representation for students, as well as an active learning strategy. We play rhythm chairs as well, so this would be a great pre-reading exercise and quick assessment!
ReplyDeleteThanks! My kiddos love doing this, they will sit so still to be chosen to be part of the rhythm. I was just thinking another spin on this would be to give them a rhythm card and have them write the rhythm on the beats. Would be great for discussion.
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