Grade 8 - Rhythm
Lesson Notes
Review beat and rhythm. Have students define “beat” and “rhythm” using
words or pictures on a post-it note, and have them place their answers
(anonymously) on the white board as a “Graffiti Wall” (slide 2). This is a
good pre-assessment of their understanding of beat/rhythm.
Let the students experience beat and rhythm. Have some students keep a
beat on a drum (djembe, conga…) and have other students create
improvised rhythms on rhythm sticks over this beat. Students will
experience beat/rhythm, and be encouraged to create their own rhythms.
You can then challenge the students to write out the rhythms that are
being performed (sound before sight).
Essentially, this lesson is a review/reinforcement of the rhythms learned in
grade 7, with emphasis on simple time. Also, use of terminology (“quarter
note” as opposed to “ta”) is also reviewed, as well as equivalent rests.
Slides 6 and 7 can be used as an in-class review to be completed together.
Then, for the proceeding class, these slides can be used again, with
students writing their answers on an index card as an Entrance Card
assessment. This assessment of their learning and understanding of these
rhythmic concepts will guide your future lessons.
Slide 8 gives an opportunity for students to break out into groups and
create their own rhythms to perform for class.
You can also take time to go over conducting patterns in simple time, and
complete a listening assessment of identifying metre (Slide 11). Once
simple time is reviewed and reinforced, you can proceed into the
compound time signatures, which are among the main rhythmic outcomes
for Grade 8 music.
Assessment – In class performance of beat/rhythm (checklist)
Entrance Card
