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MUSIC CLASS TEACHING TIPS WINTER RHYTHM GAMES FOR ELEMENTARY MUSIC CLASS
I’m featuring 3 easy to play games you can use in the elementary music classroom during the first weeks after the holiday break.
Or, you can use these fun winter rhythm games any time during the winter season.
All the details of how to play the games and how to change them for each grade and activity are in this teaching video.
“Toss the Snowballs” rhythm game with 3 variations that are easily adaptable to grades K-6th grade.
THE GOAL OF THE GAME is to pass on the BEAT and PLAY A RHYTHM.
Print the rhythm patterns you want to use in the game on white paper.
Decide on the number of snowballs you want to use in the game.
Print that number of rhythm pages.
You can duplicate rhythm patterns to reach the number of snowballs needed in the game.
Crumple up the papers to look like snowballs.
You may want to use a drum to play the steady beat as students play the rhythms, and to keep everyone playing together.
Tell your students to sit in a circle.
Pass the snowballs on the beat but quickly so that they don’t melt.
Wait to PASS the snowball when the music STARTS.
Students STOP passing the snowball when the music STOPS.
The student who has the snowball opens up the paper and plays the rhythm pattern.
You can say “1-2-ready-play” for them to begin.
This is important as you will have more than one student playing at a time later in the game.
The student then crumples up the snowball and play continues.
On the first time around the circle, stop about 5 times.
If your students are ready, then add in another snowball.
If not, then play with one snowball for a while. You may want to play the game this way the first time you play it- you can adjust the number of snowballs any time.
After students “get” the idea, add in another snowball.
When the music stops, the 2 students need to play together. That’s why I recommend some kind of count in so that they play together.
Play continues- you the teacher decide when to add in more snowballs and set the pace of the game!
It’s important for students to pass on the beat and to play the rhythms together. Encourage them to work together when there are more than 2 snowballs!
Choose 4 actions like CLAP – PAT – STOMP – SNAP
You can easily write the actions on your board if you don’t have any pictures.
Or, if you have cards, you can place them in the center of the circle for students to use.
Here is the LINK TO MY WINTER BODY PERCUSSION ACTIVITY that would pair nicely with this game.
Winter Body Percussion Steady Beat Play Along Activities
The game is played the same except instead of just clapping the rhythm patterns, the students will play a body percussion action.
I project the patterns on the white board, you can write them on your white board.
Tell the students that they can choose 1 ACTION and play their rhythm pattern using that action.
After your students have played the game several times, you could have them choose 2 ACTIONS. You the teacher are the best judge of your students capabilities.
This game also presents a wonderful opportunity to teach students about classroom instruments or have them play them.
Instead of clapping the rhythm patterns, the students will play an instrument.
You can vary the instruments for each grade level.
You will need the same number of instruments as snowballs in the game.
Kindergarten, First & Second Grade try using hand drums, bells and shakers.
In upper elementary classes consider using specific notes you want students to play on xylophones or Boomwhackers.
For example: Only play so mi la, or play chords using CEG.
Playing instruments is a high engagement activity that can also help with management. When children are busy playing instruments, they aren’t busy playing with each other!
Using a variety of teaching materials, activities and repetition is essential to helping your students learn beat and rhythm.
READ THIS POST to get more Winter music activity ideas! WINTER CREATIVE MOVEMENT ACTIVITY IDEAS
Consider the other activities in your classroom and coordinate learning the same notes in the game too.
To create a complete music lesson activity I recommend using the Winter Rhythm Play Along and the Winter Body Percussion Activity resources.
Upper elementary music students can play the Winter Rhythm Play Along Mixed Levels as well as the “SNOW ORFF” arrangement.
Winter Rhythm Game “Toss The Snowballs” Rhythms K-6 Levels
Looking for more WINTER MUSIC AND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES?
Let’s Move and Learn with Music!
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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