Objective: Write a simple one measure rhythm

Materials: Tech Cart with laptop and LCD projector (optional)

Smart Board (or simple black board and chalk)
Elmo overhead projector
4 or 5 large sheets of brightly colored construction paper
Several djembes, djun djun, or accessory percussion (can play
“percussion” by tapping, clapping, or stomping instead)

Procedure: Color drumming

Step 1: Split the class into 4 or 5 small groups and present each
with a sheet of colored construction paper. Each table chooses a
student to be the group writer. Students are given 90 seconds to
brain storm and list items that are the color of the paper on their
table. The writer is the only one permitted to write.

*I make this a competition and reward the group with the most
words bonus points

Step 2: Students choose and circle 5 of the words from their lists.
Encourage them to choose words that they feel sound fun to say.

Step 3: Students (as a table/group) take their 5 chosen words and

break them into syllables. Words are rewritten.
Ex: To-ma-to for Tomato

Review Note Values - whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth –

triplets

Review Time Signatures – easiest for this lesson are ¾ and 4/4.
Top number = beats per minute
Bottom number = replace the top number with a 1 and it represents
the note that receives the beat
Quarter note = ¼, Half note = ½, Eighth note = 1/8

Step 4: Groups then assign note values to the syllables

Ex: Color Red Rose (quarter)/Straw-ber-ry (quarter and 2 eights)/Soup (quarter)

Step 5: Pending teacher approval of rhythm, students then transfer

their rhythm to the construction paper to make a poster that can be
seen by the entire class
 Step 6: Students complete a group self evaluation (optional)

Example Self Evaluation

1. On a scale of 1-5, how well did you and your team mates work as a group?
2. On a scale of 1-5, how original is your color rhythm?
3. On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your final poster? (was it neat, did you have
spelling errors or rhythmic mistakes?)
4. On a scale 1-5, how would you rate your over-all involvement on this project?

Step 7: Drumming – Students are assigned type of drum to use.

Drumming begins with a series of call (teacher) and response
(students answer) type drumming. The drumming then will change
to using “base beat” and “word Rhythms” (i.e. I use “Hot Cup of
Tea” for ¾ and “Humpty Dumpty” for 2/4 and 4/4). Finally
students will play their Color Rhythms from Day 1 and 2 for and
with the class.