Reading simple rhythms
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can read and chant four beat rhythms.
Key learning points
- Many of the songs and games we play have a call and response structure.
- When we chant and clap to a steady pulse, we are chanting a rhythm.
- We clap on each syllable of the chant to create a rhythm.
- For these fruit chants, our one syllable words can be written as Ta and our two syllable words as Ta-di.
Keywords
Call and response - a question and answer musical structure
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Chant - speaking in time to a pulse
Syllable - a part of a word
Common misconception
Responses are always the same in call and response songs.
The response can be different every time. The call can also be different. Call and response can be any kind of back and forth musical conversation.
Teacher tip
Once pupils feel confident with clapping a rhythm, you might use a drum to keep the steady pulse for them to clap to. Counting in with 'ready, steady off we go' or a steady '1, 2, 3, 4' will help pupils start together.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.It is important to warm up before music because...
Q2.Pulse is...
Q3.Why do we sometimes write music down?
Q4.Call and response is like a question and musical structure.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.True or false? A response is always the same in a call and response song.
Q2.When we chant and clap to a steady pulse, we are speaking a...
Q3.Which of these images shows the rhythm for 'pear?'
Q4.This is the rhythm for...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Reading simple rhythms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Reading simple rhythms, 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: high and low melodic responses unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.