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Fun holiday music class rhythm games. Learn how to get your free copy of our holiday music class rhythm games in this blog post. Rhythm games to say and play and create rhythm patterns for grades K-6. These fun games are played with small groups of children. Keep reading to get the free resources and game directions from the Sing Play Create Free Resource Library.
The problem is that the elves have lost all the presents for Christmas!
Santa (you the teacher) needs your help to make new presents.
When the students play the pattern correctly, then give Santa a present and place it under or nead the Tree.
Santa rings a bell whenever a present is placed under the tree.
The first version is for preschool and kindergarten and first grades and ages.
Print the icon or rhythm flash cards you want to use.
Print the tree and the presents you will use for the game.
Label your presents #1 2 3 4 and 5 if needed.
Students will use flash cards to make steady beat or rhythm patterns to play using body percussion or instruments.
Organize students into groups the same number of stations and have them stand at each present or station.
Pass the beat and rhythm cards out to them at the presents.
They will play according to the cards you’ve placed with the present-either body percussion action or an instrument. (USE THE FREE BODY PERCUSSION CARDS IF NEEDED)
Have them practice their patterns together.
Then call out HO HO HO when ready to play for Santa- (teacher).
(you can choose 1 student to be a leader if it helps)
Wait for everyone to finish, then have all groups rotate to the next station.
BODY PERCUSSION
Place a body percussion card at the present station. Students use that movement to play their pattern. Each station will have a different movement.
Place instruments (enough for all group members) at each station. Students use that instrument to play their pattern.
The problem is the same- Santa needs presents!
The goal of the rhythm game is to create and play rhythm patterns.
Print the tree and present posters. Print individual beat flash cards.
Make large present posters for each STATION or group in your class.
You’ll want to make small present posters for students to use after completing a rhythm pattern.
If you have a class of six groups of students with four in each group, then you’ll need up to six small presents for every turn in the game.
The small presents are the reward for playing the rhythms correctly. The students are going to place their presents on the tree.
Place the tree on the board or in a spot where you want your students to collect their presents.
Place the large present posters around the room.
This is where your groups are going to be formed to create the rhythm patterns.
Each student will take their rhythm card with them and find a spot under a music present poster to create a four beat pattern with three other students.
Place the small presents which are the rewards for playing a rhythm correctly close to the tree so students can easily get them and then place them under the tree or magnetize them to use on a white board.
Tell the students that the elves have lost all the presents for Christmas, the students must now help Santa and make new presents.
Here’s how to play the game.
Have your students stand in a circle.
Give each student a one beat flash card. If you don’t have an even number of students, then you’re going to want to give one student two cards.
Begin by playing a drumbeat. Students will march around the circle on the beat. When you stop playing the drum, the students must get to a present.
There can only be four students at each present. Or if you have an odd number, the student with two cards can represent two people.
Then the students create a rhythm pattern together.
Santa has to check the pattern. The students call out “HO HO HO” and the teacher watches them play their pattern. If it’s correct, they take a small present and place it under or by the tree.
Play begins again.
Every time you play the game, encourage students to go to a different present so that they are in different groups of students.
Or, you can put them into groups ahead of time with a leader who will take them to the next station.
For example if they begin in STATION 3 then they will go next to STATION 4, then STATION 1, then 2
Have each group play their present for Santa, which is you. If they play it correctly, they get to place a small present under the tree.
Play continues until you run out of present cards, time or group combinations.
(I may receive funds) to help you get started with the activity.
Perfect for music educators and home school moms, this resource helps build relationships and classroom community by working as teams in small groups.
Ideal for small groups of students to work together to create rhythm patterns.
Make your holiday lessons unforgettable with this holiday rhythm game.
FUN CHRISTMAS MOVEMENT SONGS FOR CHILDREN BLOG POST with links to all our holiday themed songs, videos and resources.
Santa’s Got a Long White Beard (Christmas Song for Children)
Santa’s in His Sleigh (Christmas Song for Children)
Rhythm Play Along Song: “Jingling Bells” for Bells, Glockenspiel, Xylophone
Christmas & Holiday Rhythm Crowns, Headbands, Hat, Craft: Decoding Rhythm Activities
Holiday PreK-Kindergarten-1 Music Activity Bundle: Music and Movement Lessons
“Merry Christmastime” Music Instrument Song and Instrument Activity
Check out these blog posts!
I hope these holiday rhythm games help you during your holiday music lessons.
Thanks for reading this post!
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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