STEADY BEAT - GR 1 / PREPARING QUARTER NOTES

Pumpkin Party
Written by Maudie Powell-Tuck
Illustrated by Gill Guile
ISBN: 978-1-58925-206-6

This happy rhyme is a perfect Halloween treat to reinforce steady beat while preparing "ta" patterns as the entire book can be read in simply quarter note rhythms.  There are a few times were the rhythm of the text includes a "ta rest" -- simply add the word "and" and you can keep the steady pulse beat with text throughout the story.  Each 2-line phrase will give you an 8 beat text phrase and a 7 beat text phrase - ending on "ta rest."

For example - "Pump-kin cos-tumes, pump-kin hats, with spark-ly stars and dang-ling bats. (rest) "

Create a B SECTION by placing 8 pumpkins in 2 single lines of 4.  Invite students to say, "BOO" as they tap each pumpkin.  After students have been successful several times, and after other "ta" songs have been introduced and the quarter note has been presented, invite students to turn the pumpkin over (nothing on the back side during first experiences).  Students will say, "Shhh" on each of the "silent" pumpkins.  Eventually, the reverse side of the pumpkins can have a quarter rest written on them.

Add a simple chord bordun to accompany the reading of the story.  Add simple so-mi pumpkins to create a pumpkin melody to sing as a B Section between each page in the story.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PUMPKIN SHAPES FROM TEACHER STOREHOUSE.

Each package includes 30 pumpkin shapes for $5.99.  Check your local Dollar Tree for more affordable options.



EXTENSION:  Give students a copy of the attached pumpkin page (image below) - inviting them to create their own 4 beat pattern in the pumpkin's sign (yes, it will all be quarter notes).  Place all of the pumpkins on a bulletin board fence to create a Halloween scene of rhythm pumpkins.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FREE PUMPKIN PATTERN PAGE.


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK FROM AMAZON.

MELODY - GR K HIGH / LOW PATTERNS

Don't Let Pigeon Drive the Bus

Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems

ISBN: 978-0-786-81988-1

This wonderful story begins with bus pictures on the inside cover.  Invite children to sing the high/low patterns of the buses (high-low-high-low-high).

I always tell the children that the author, Mo Willems, actually wrote a bus song for us to sing.  They love the idea that there is a song to begin the story.

As you sing through the story, invite students to sing, "No way!" on s-m each time pigeon asks to drive the bus.

Once the story is complete, give each child the opportunity to create their own bus song.  I give each child a single rhythm stick and a set of 4-5 buses that have been printed, laminated and cut out.  They must place the buses above or below the rhythm stick (like traffic).  As the story is retold, I use my pigeon plush (recently bought a new one at Kohl's for only $5) to move around the circle to listen to each child's bus melody.  Children sing high/low patterns they have created.

EXTENSION:  Have children listen to the pigeon sing high low patterns and then build what they hear.  This is a very elementary example of aural melodic dictation!

Have fun with the story.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK FROM AMAZON

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