Reading rhythms from pictures
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use pictures to help me play a rhythm accurately.
Key learning points
- We warm up before singing so that our bodies, minds and voices are ready to sing.
- We play instruments on the beat and to the rhythm as we sing.
- We know music can be shared by listening or by writing it down.
- We can use pictures and words to help us play rhythms accurately.
Keywords
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Common misconception
Pulse, beat and rhythm are the same thing.
Pulse is the underlying feeling of uniformed beats - it is the heartbeat of the music. When organised into metres, we then feel it as beats e.g. counting 1,2,3 1,2,3. Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences of differing durations.
Teacher tip
Help pupils to keep a steady pulse as they tap their rhythms by counting them in and by practising counting and pointing to each rhythm box in turn with a steady pulse.
Equipment
Class set of percussion instruments, ideally instruments that give a strong beat e.g. claves
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In a call and response song, the leader sings the call and the children sing the .
Q2.How many syllables are in the word 'ant'?
Q3.How many syllables are in the word 'spider'?
Q4.True or False. Rhythm and beat are the same thing.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.When we play instruments on the steady pulse, we are playing the .
Q2.True or false. The beat feels steady and the same throughout our songs and chants.
Q3.Who do you agree with?
Q4.Match the musical element to the definition.
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Reading rhythms from pictures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Reading rhythms from pictures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 music lessons from the Compose and Create: exploring and performing rhythm patterns unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.