In music class, third graders have been using animal names to create rhythm compositions. We started by sorting animals according to their rhythmic syllables. Then students worked together to decide what order to arrange them. This was paired with a song we’ve learned called “We’re Off to the Zoo!” After that we practiced playing the rhythms on various instruments. We used xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, hand drums and wood blocks. When students played on the mallet instruments (xylo, metallo and glock) they also had the opportunity to improvise which notes to use within the framework of the animal rhythm the class chose. There is A LOT of mental work involved for students to put this all together! They worked very hard, and definitely improved their musicianship while having fun playing instruments and singing about animals!
