Kindergartens Experience Beat and Rhythm

Imagine you are in a Candy Store, and you can only buy one kind of candy . . .  
   Which one would you choose?

Kindergarten students are struggling with this dilemma as each class composes a rhythmic phrase based on the names of these sugary treats.  Once the phrase is recorded with words and pictures, students learn how to "Clap the way the words sound" - one clap per syllable.  This is the rhythm of the text.  After clapping, students perform the same rhythmic phrase in small groups using non-pitched percussion instruments (like spoons or wood blocks).  After they are performing confidently, they use the rhythm to improvise a melody on the xylophone.  Candy has never sounded so sweet!

Between each candy rhythm, the class sings our Candy Store Song.  As we sing, we pat a steady pulse on our lap.  This is the beat of the music, steady and slow compared to the rhythm, which is actually sub-divisions of the beat.  

As we perform our piece, students experience the beat and they experience the rhythm.  After many such experiences, we will start to distinguish between the two and label each with their proper musical names.  

Meanwhile, our music room is filled with all sorts of candy - a delicious way to spend the first week of June!

The Candy Store created by Ms. Power's afternoon students.