This is one of my favorite activities to do with children from 3-10. The children have a great time learning about beat and rhythm!

Achievement Objectives:

  • Explore how sound is made, as they listen and respond to the elements of music – beat/rhythm Developing Practical Knowledge in Music.
  • Explore and express sounds and musical ideas, drawing on personal experience, listening, and imagination. Developing Ideas in Music.
  • Respond to live and recorded music. Communicating and Interpreting in Music.

Preparation:

Give each child a large piece of paper – preferably A3 newsprint and a crayon or felt tip pen.
Children can sit on the floor or lie down on their tummy depending on space.

Warm Up:

Rhythm Name Pattern
Sit in a circle
Go around the group and say your name.
Start the Rhythm:
Slap knees twice
Clap hands twice
Shake hands twice and say name

Track 1.  White Dove
White Dove Activity:
Before playing White Dove explain that each child can scribble or draw in time to the soothing music – ask them to feel the music as they draw long or short strokes. Children can start as soon as they hear the music.
At the end of the song collect the crayon or felt tip pen.

Track 2. You Can peel an Orange
You Can Peel an Orange Activity:
Children need to sit on their bottoms.
In time to the music ask each child to rip their paper into small pieces in time to the music (normal tempo). Children can start as soon as they hear the music.

Track 3. You can Squeeze an Orange
You Can Squeeze an Orange Activity:
In time to the music ask each child to rip their paper into small pieces in time to the music (slow tempo).

Track 4. You Can Pick an Orange
You Can pick an Orange Activity:
In time to the music ask each child to rip their paper into small pieces in time to the music (fast tempo).

Track 5. You Can Squash an Orange
You Can Squash an Orange Activity:
In time to the music ask each child to rip their paper into small pieces in time to the music (medium/slow tempo).

Track 6. Rain Medley
Rain Medley Activity:
Children need to make a pile of the bits of their paper and place in front of them – ask children to stand up. Explain that once the music starts children can pick up their pile and throw the bits of paper or pretend raindrops over themselves, in time to the music. Children continue to pick up the raindrops and throw the raindrops over themselves.
When you hear the lyrics: ‘When it’s Pouring Rain’ ask the children to jump onto the bits of paper and pretend the raindrops are puddles.
Resume back to collecting raindrops and throwing the raindrops over themselves.
When you hear the lyrics: ‘One Little Raindrop’ ask the children to pick up one rain drop and throw the raindrop up high just over themselves.
Resume back to collecting raindrops and throwing the raindrops over themselves.
For the last song ‘Oh, Oh, Oh No don’t Let the Rain Come Down’ ask children to gather lots of raindrops, stand close in a huddle, you the teacher count down 4,3,2,1 and everyone throw the raindrops up high at the same time. Repeat several times

Track 7 Green, Green
Green, Green Activity:
Place a bin or large bag in the middle of the children. Explain how once the music starts the children can collect all the raindrops and place them in the bin. The aim is to gather all the raindrops before the song has finished. Children need to be aware of their own space when collecting the raindrops and to be careful of bumping into other children. If all the raindrops are gathered before the end of the song, children can form a circle, hold hands and dance around in a clock wise direction.
At the end of the song the children can bow and give themselves a big clap.