31 Days of Rhythm: Ideas to Differentiate Rhythm Lessons Through Folk Dancing
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Teach rhythm in March using dancing, body percussion and Irish music to help your students learn rhythm concepts.
I’m teaming up with some Music Teacher Friends and each of us are sharing some different ideas during March on the theme of “31 Days of Rhythm” (#31daysofrhythm).
Since I love to dance, I’m sharing some ideas on how to differentiate Rhythm activities through Folk Dancing.
Spring is in the air and my students begin to get a bit more wiggly.
That makes March the perfect time to folk dance and I like to make it Irish.
Folk Dancing gives students an opportunity to sing the melody, step or move on the beat and clap, tap, snap, yes “Feel” the rhythms.
Teaching Tip: Rhythm and movement activities expand a child’s ability to learn.
One good technique to get students more motivated to keep trying is to point out the students who are “getting” it. Later I’ll have the 2 circles compete with each other, but while we’re learning, I keep everyone together.
DANCE DIRECTIONS:
Form a double circle with partners facing each other.
Hold hands with partner (or place hands on hips) Sashay 8 beats to the left.
Sashay 8 beats to the right.
Swing partner Right arms joining for 4 beats.
Switch arms and swing 4 beats.
Walk to the center 4 steps and clap on beat 4.
Walk out 4 steps and clap on beat 4
Inside circle faces clockwise and walks two places as the outside circle also walks counterclockwise (opposite) passing 2 students shoulder to shoulder. Stop and form new partners.
Clap during the intro with a 1 foot stomp on beat 1.
8 beats- circle to the left on the beat, sidestepping.
8 beats- circle to the right on the beat.
(8) 4 steps to the middle on 4 beats- step backwards to place on 4 beats. Clap on the beat as you walk in and out.
8 Repeat walking in and out.
8 Jig Right
8 Jig Left
Clap and stomp during the interlude and begin again!
LYRICS
“St. Patrick Was a Gentleman”
This is one my favorite dances to do with my 3rd graders.
“St. Patrick Was a Gentleman” Irish Folk song and Dance
The dance directions are adapted for an elementary classroom setting.
Music Elements: Timbre, Movement to Beat, Rhythm, Improvisation
Objective: Move to an Irish Tune, Play an Ostinato
ST. PATRICK’S DAY HISTORY
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th and Ireland, it is a religious holiday. St. Patrick was actually born in England.
He was captured by the Irish and taken into slavery to Ireland.
When he was older he escaped, and became a Catholic Priest.
When he became a Bishop, he returned to Ireland where according to Irish legends, he rid Ireland of snakes.
As of today, there are no snakes in Ireland.
Have students read aloud the lyrics.
Tap the rhythms as they say the words.
Review sixteenths notes as needed.
Sing the song.
Saint Patrick was a gentleman, he came from decent people
He built a church in Dublin town and on it put a steeple
His father was a Gallagher, his mother was a Grady
His aunt was an O’Shaughnessy and his uncle was a Brady
Success to bold Saint Patrick’s fist he was a saint so clever.
He gave the snakes and toads a twist and banished them forever.
I don’t have students sing the whole song-just verse 1 and 2.
Use these St. Patrick’s Day Instrumental Tracks for your March music and movement activities!
This version from YouTube has a great accompaniment and the video is okay.
I usually modify the dances I’ve learned so that students can be dancing in 1 class time.
One thing that I emphasize is how to side step or sashay on the beat. You’ll see in this video that she’s taught her students to slide side to side and not walk around the circle.
I also tell my students that they are “professional Irish Dancers” and that hands are on the hips when we dance.
We’ll practice side stepping on the beat first in lines. I have them practice 8 beats to the left and then 8 beats to the right very slowly.
Then we form the circle. I like to place students boy-girl-boy-girl around the circle-hands on hips.
I show the students how to side step around the circle working with neighbors to keep the movement on the beat and the circle in a nice shape.
This is how I’ve taught the steps to the dance. I typically use patterns of 8 beats which makes it easier for students to remember.
VERSION 2
Here’s another version of the dance that I’ve used:
After we can do the dance together in a large circle, I’ll split the class into 3 or 4 smaller circles. I usually do this in class 2. We sing the song as a warm up. I then tell students that I’ll be watching for several things to determine who has the most “professional Irish dancers.”
Form- all the right moves, hands on hips, smiles, correct steps.
Teamwork- helping each other (not bossing each other) and dancing as a group not just for themselves.
Singing and Dancing together- This is tough for some kids, but I encourage them keep trying to sing and dance.
I have the class practice a couple of times and then I have them perform for each other . Sometimes it’s hard to choose and others-it’s not. I have found that it comes down to “teamwork” 90% of the time.
The teams that work together, achieve together.
If time permits, I’ll let the students participate for their teacher.
IMPROVISE
Improvise simple rhythm patterns on small hand drums, wood blocks or rhythm sticks. Students could work in small groups or individually. Have the students write the rhythms down.
Clap the rhythms first, then apply instruments.
SMALL GROUPS
Have a small group of students play along with the rest of the class singing.
My students really like to watch the “Riverdance” troupe.
Here’s several of my favorite videos.
There’s so many to choose from, but this final performance has some nice solo work that most likely will astound students.
Get all of the latest tips/posts from your Favorite Music Education Bloggers by following MusicEd Blogs on Facebook!!!
If you’re interested I have several Irish Dance Resources in My Teachers Pay Teachers Store. They are yearly class favorites.
St. Patrick’s Day “The Leprechaun Beat” Brain Break, Movement Activity Video
March rhythm lessons can be filled with dancing, body percussion and manipulative activities. I hope this post gives you tons of ideas for your elementary music classes.
Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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