Prep. Lesson 2. Feel the beat

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Prep. Lesson 2. Feel the beat

Overview

Students will enhance skills, coordination, and posture through singing, movement, and circle games focusing on maintaining a steady beat.

Learning intention

Students will develop beat and motor skills, and coordination by practising songs with movements, clapping, and following directions.

Success criteria

Students successfully keep a steady beat while singing and performing movements. They coordinate actions with the beat of the song, follow directions, and adjust movements to match the beat.

- - Woodblocks, claves, feet cutouts Difficulty: Prior learning: None

It may be helpful to begin your lesson with a greeting to signal the beginning of this special activity. This helps to create a sense of "music time" and encourages tuneful singing. Use a standardised greeting that children will recognise as the cue that it’s time to sing. For example, you might sing or chant, “Good morning, everyone.” This familiar phrase sets the tone and prepares them for learning. Then, review a known song or introduce a new one.

Students will learn to sing the song while coordinating see-saw arm movements to develop a sense of beat.

Begin by teaching the song to the class. Repeat both lines until the students are confident with the melody and lyrics.
Have the students take a partner and sit on the floor facing each other, with legs crossed.
Instruct them to hold hands, extending their arms outward to the sides to raise one hand, while the other is near the ground. This will prepare them for the see-saw motion.
Explain that as they sing, they will move their arms in a see-saw motion, alternating up and down to match the beat of the song.
Start singing the song together, and have students lift one hand while the other goes down in time with the beat.
Encourage them to move smoothly, mimicking the motion of a see-saw.

Lyrics

See-saw, up and down,

In the sky and on the ground.

Success Criteria

I can sing the song while performing the see-saw motion in time with the beat.
I can feel the beat through large movements of my arms
I can work with a partner to keep our movements coordinated while singing.

Students will develop their ability to maintain a steady beat while singing and moving in a circle game, fostering social interaction and coordination.

Dr James Cuskelly and students of St Joseph's School, Stanthorpe.

Lyrics

Farmer in the Dell lyrics

Begin by singing the first verse of the song to the class. You can clap the beat while singing to emphasise the beat.
Explain that this song is also a game in which they move and sing together, and one student will have a special role as the "farmer."
Sing the first line; have the students repeat it after you. Continue this process with the rest of the verse until the class knows the melody and lyrics. Repeat the verse a few times to ensure everyone feels confident singing.
Ask the class to form a large circle. Explain that they will move to the left in time with the beat while singing.
Show how to take small steps to the left, matching each step with the beat of the song.
Have the students practise walking to the beat before adding the singing.
Choose one student to be the "farmer." Explain that the "farmer" will walk around inside (or outside) the circle, moving in the opposite direction from the rest of the class.
The "farmer" will look for someone who is singing well to join them at the end of the verse.
Start the song again, with the whole class singing and moving to the left while the "farmer" walks in the opposite direction.
When the verse ends, the "farmer" picks someone from the circle who has been singing well to join them inside.
The new "farmer" now walks in the opposite direction while the rest of the class continues moving to the beat.

Success Criteria

I can sing the song while moving to the beat in a circle.
I can keep a steady beat while participating in the game.
I can listen, respond to the beat, and stay in time with the group.
I can take turns and engage in the game as the "farmer" or as part of the circle.

Students will learn to perform a rhyme with coordinated movements, developing the feel of the beat, motor skills, and the ability to follow directions.

Lyrics

Tap your head, tap your toe,

Turn in a circle, bend down low.

Tap your nose, tap your knees,

Hands on your shoulders, sit down, please!

Success Criteria

I can say the rhyme while performing the correct actions.
I can follow the sequence of movements in time with the rhyme.
I can stay engaged and participate in the activity with my classmates.

Begin by saying the rhyme to the class. Explain that the students will be making different movements to match the words in the rhyme.
Demonstrate each action slowly so the students can see what they will be doing.
Say the first line and demonstrate tapping your head with one hand, then tapping your toe with the same hand. Have the students copy you.
Say the second line while turning around in a circle, then bend down as low as you can. Have the students follow along with the movements.
Say the third line, tapping your nose with one hand and then tapping your knees. Get the students to mimic your actions.
Say the final line and place your hands on your shoulders. Then, sit down on the floor. Instruct the students to do the same.
Once the students know the movements for each line, they should practise saying the rhyme together while doing the actions. Repeating it a few times will help them remember the sequence of movements.

Students will practise the song while performing coordinated actions, keeping a steady beat, and developing beat and motor skills.

Lyrics

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear, show your shoe.

Teddy bear, Teddy bear that will do!

This song is perfect for revising and moving to the beat with coordinated action.
Remind students of the actions that accompany the lyrics, and connect each action to the beat.
Sing the song again, combining the lyrics, actions, and beat tapping. Start slowly to help students coordinate the movements with the beat.
Encourage them to keep the beat steady and match the actions to the words. Repeat the song several times.
Offer positive reinforcement and praise for keeping the beat and performing the actions.

Success Criteria

I can sing the song while performing the correct actions for each line.
I can keep a steady beat with my hands and feet.
I can coordinate my movements with the lyrics and beat.
I can adjust my movements as the tempo changes while keeping time.

Students will learn to maintain a steady beat while singing, developing beat awareness and coordination through varied body percussion.

Sing the song line-by-line, asking students to repeat after you.
Ensure they are confident with the melody and lyrics before moving on.
Ask students to march around the room while singing the song, keeping the beat on their feet.
Encourage them to match their movements to the beat.
Repeat the activity, rotating through various movements.
Praise students for their creativity and ability to keep in time.

Lyrics

Hot cross buns, hot cross buns,

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot cross buns.

Success Criteria

I can sing "Hot Cross Buns" from memory.
I can tap the beat using different body parts while singing.
I can participate with confidence and use my singing voice effectively.

Students will develop beat awareness by marching in time with the song, exploring steady beat through movement and tempo variations.

Lyrics

I'm a bear, and I like honey,

Lots of honey in my tummy,

I'll feel sick, and I'll feel funny,

If I go on eating honey!

Success Criteria

I can march to the beat of the song while standing in place.
I can move around the room while keeping in time with the beat.
I can change direction while maintaining the beat.
I can freeze when the music stops and resume marching to the beat when it starts again.

Explain to the students that they will now "march to the beat" of the song. Demonstrate how to lift their knees and step in time with the beat. Keep it slow and steady to begin with, ensuring everyone can follow.
Have the students stand in a circle or spread out across the room. Clap the beat while asking the students to march in place. Check that their feet are moving in time with your clapping. Praise their effort and provide guidance if needed.
Begin singing the song and encourage students to march in time with the beat. To help them stay on track, continue clapping or patting the beat as they sing and march.
Once students are comfortable marching in place, instruct them to march around the room or in a circle while singing the song. Emphasise keeping a steady beat with their steps and maintaining space between each other.
Incorporate the bear puppet into the activity. Explain that the bear is watching for students who are marching in time. Use the puppet to "tap" students who keep a steady beat, acknowledging their effort.
Midway through the activity, stop the class and explain that they will march in the opposite direction while singing. This adds variety and helps students practise maintaining the beat even as they adjust their movement.
Add a freeze challenge by stopping the song abruptly and asking students to "freeze" in place. When the song resumes, they should immediately start marching to the beat again.