Background: In 5 years, I have NEVER spent any of my budget money on classroom materials, curriculum, etc. All of my money gets used on sheet music for ensembles - and even that runs out (yay Finale!).
As previously stated, I bought “Ready, Set, Rhythm!” by Melody Easter-Clutter and Anna Wentlet at the NAfMe conference this past October. After an amazing workshop with her, I NEEDED this book. I knew it wouldn’t take many resources and it was just plain old fun. You can find it here on Amazon for less than $20!
I needed something to target my 7th grade general class. This grade has a high rate of IEPs and 504s, so written notation is a struggle for them. They’re great kids though, so I’ll take learning disabilities any day!
How I Used the Book
The book can be used for group warm ups in chorus, class, or really anything. I combined a few to make full 40 minute lessons.
Each page is correlated with the National Standards
I love that it gives you step by step instructions - it’s VERY detailed. It’s refreshing to see something geared towards middle school that is just as detailed as primary school resources.
As you can see, there are rhythms on the top of the page. You can write them on a whiteboard, but what I usually do is take a picture, crop the rhythms out, and put the on my SMARTBoard.
The first couple lessons are driven completely by body motions. I wish I could post the videos of my students! I would have music playing BEFORE they walked in so that they minute they stepped into my room - they would be caught in the warmup. Lately they love “Heartbeat Song” by Kelly Clarkson. I usually run the song twice to get everyone in the room. You’ll have to buy the book to get the warm ups (Melody deserves the purchase from YOU) - but they are simple, good, and fun.
Day 1
First two lessons in the book, pair up, perform their own 8 measure rhythms in front.
Day 2
Next two lessons in the book, pair up, perform new compositions using the movements from last class and the new movements learned today.
Day 3
Add TENNIS BALLS. You heard me. Did you just picture your student with ADHD chucking one another kid’s head? Yeah. We’ve all got one of those. It’s extremely important to stress “ready position” when using aids like this. My ready position is holding the tennis ball straight up in the air. We’ll usually practice a few times. I’ll let them go nuts, I’ll yell ready position, and then they have to hold up the tennis ball as quickly as possible. I don’t know how - but it works!
This lesson follows the same format as the previous ones except that the tennis balls are used to count the rhythms. I love how it helps kids feel the downbeat! I used that as a teachable moment.
Days 4-5
Start working on Tennis ball compositions in pairs! They have to combine body movement, tennis balls, and their own movements (their favorites) to perform their rhythms. I only let them get the tennis balls if their rhythms follow the rubric I give them
Day 6
The performance/Test!
This is just a basic way that I use the book. The rhythms start out simply, but by the end of the book, you can get into complex meters in rhythm. I LOVE it because you can start anywhere in the book!
The best part: Cost
Book - $19.12
Tennis Balls - $14.99 for 18.
TOTAL: $34.11 for MULTIPLE LESSONS! You could do this for a month if you wanted to! I transitioned into boomwhacker playing after this, but maybe next year I’ll extend it.
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