Summer Student Word Rhythm Game
These products are intended to provide flute teachers with additional lesson materials geared toward younger students (ages 5 -10), or teachers who wiish to add buddy or group classes, by offering engaging and fun learning activities to compliment your current curriculum.
I made the cards in this game smaller than the ones I usually use in my group classes, so that teachers can also use them in single or buddy lessons. They are small enough to fit four cards across a standard music stand to form one or two measures of rhythms.
The cards can be used several different ways in lessons.
- You, the teacher/parent, choose four cards and place them in a row across the stand. Have the student say and clap the word rhythms.
- Have the student compose his/her own word rhythms to say and clap.
- Set four cards on the stand. Clap one of the rhythms and have the student choose the card that reflects the rhythm you just clapped.
- Place the rhythm cards in various places around your studio. Clap a rhythm and tell the student to find a card that has that rhythm on it. There may be several different cards for each of the easier rhythms, but it doesn’t matter what the word is. The younger kids LOVE to search for rhythms, notes, or just about anything!
- For a buddy lesson, have both students form their own rhythm chains and clap and say it themselves or have them switch and clap each other’s rhythm.
- For buddy lessons or small group lessons, you can place the rhythms cards around your studio. Clap a rhythm from one of the cards. The first student to find the rhythm wins that round.
- For a small group lesson, place the rhythms in a pile and let the students build their own word rhythm chains. As a group, walk around and clap the rhythms together. For longer word rhythm chains, you can place the cards on the floor in a line or circle. Walk around while you clap and say the rhythms. For this lesson option, I would recommend printing several copies of the game so there are plenty for each child to choose from.
I hope you enjoy using this resource!
Susan
Susan Hallstead is a certified KinderFlute™ instructor and the owner of Puget Sound Flute, based in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She fell in love with the flute in the first grade when her teacher’s daughter played for her class, and it has been her passion ever since. Knowing how impactful a first impression can be, she tries to incorporate fun into learning and believes it is a vital component to connecting young children with music. Susan earned her music degree from the University of Washington where she also studied voice and was a regional winner of the San Francisco Opera Competition. In addition to running a large private studio, Susan also teaches masterclasses for area schools and has worked to develop music programs for the YMCA. When she’s not planning classes or performing, you can find her hiking, searching for 5-star waterfalls, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest surrounded by her favorite color: Green! To learn more, visit pugetsoundflute.com
