A Musical Valentine

First and Second grade students began their valentine song last week.  The classes each learn a 16-measure poem.  What we do with the poem varies from first to second.

First grade students are given an eight measure rhythm to perform on either drums, woods or metals.  We talk about the sounds of each one of the instruments.  Students break into smaller groups and we create an AB form (poem then instruments).

Second grade students are taught the poem and then given an eight measure worksheet with hearts for the beats.  On each beat, students write a rhythm using the notes that they have learned (quarter, eighth note pairs, half note, quarter rest).  We all sit in a circle and I play a steady beat on the large doumbek drum.  Students are given a chance to speak their poems to the beat before we begin.  In front of them are instruments to choose from.  We talk about the sounds of each instrument before they play.

One student at a time is chosen to perform their rhythm on the B section.  They have a choice of which instrument they want to play for their solo.  I choose the first student and from there, they choose each other.

Mrs. Ward's class performed this last Thursday and they were so encouraging of each other and excited to play their solos for each other.  It also gives me a chance to see them write rhythms, perform rhythms, speak rhythms and work as a group.  Love it!