Elementary Methods

Student Goals: playing a steady rhythm, playing unpitched rhythm instruments, playing in an ensemble

Materials Needed: Accompaniment instrument (guitar), cd, cd player, triangle, tambourine, hand drum, rhythm sticks, various other unpitched rhythm instruments

Introduction: Review and sing song, Simple Gifts (A/L pg. 79)

Process:

Tell students that they will learn an accompaniment to the song
Echo-clap various rhythms that will be used
Divide class into teams
Clapping Ensemble
Hand out instruments one at a time and teach how to use
Play rhythm ensemble together without music
Sing Simple Gifts and play accompaniment

Students are given chance to create their own accompaniment rhythms.

Evaluation: Each member of each team gets a chance to play the instruments. Teacher will check to make sure that each student is playing instrument correctly and with the correct rhythms.