QUARTER NOTE CATS and
"BYE BABY BUNTING"
We enjoyed learning about quarter note rhythms with tambourines today! The children had a great time "resting" their instruments on their heads like hats! :) To signify the one beat quarter values in the four bar rhythms, we say "tah" while playing different combinations of quarter notes and quarter note rests. "Tah-(Rest)-Tah-Tah". What does that look like? See the graphic below! Note that where you see the word "rest", we are actually silent. I showed children that they could pretend to clap but not actually complete the clap. This action makes no sound but still creates a movement that helps fill the one beat of space to keep the rhythm going.
Also check out the "Quarter Note Cats" worksheet below--kids were instructed to color only the quarter notes on the work sheet.
Here's what to remind your student about quarter notes:
- --They are one beat long.
- --Quarter notes themselves have a head and a tail, and they're all colored in. (Notes without tails, with flags on the tails, or without solid heads have other values).
- --We say "tah" as we play their rhythms.
We also tried saying combinations of words to help us continue playing the rhythms with tambourines and hand clappings, like "French-Fries-Ice-Cream" or "Sun-Shine-Is-Hot". I then removed words from the phrase as we added quarter rests, or single beats of silence, to the rhythms.
BYE BABY BUNTING
This fun song about swaddling provided some soothing rocking for infants and toddlers as well as plenty of giggles for our older children. Schoolagers in particular got quite a kick out of this song and assured me they weren't too old to play along--they requested to have the "blankie" on around their head as I sang the tune!
For anyone who doesn't know the tune, check out this somewhat slower and more ethereal version of "Bye Baby Bunting" on Youtube!
CHECK OUT THESE SMART FOUR YEAR OLDS!
They thought it was truly hilarious that I couldn't "trick them" with rhythm combinations. :) What wonderfully smart students we have here at Joyful Noise!