STEADY BEAT - GR 2 / PREPARING HALF NOTE

The Day of the Dead - El dia de los muertos
(A Bilingual Celebration)
Written by Bob Barner
Illustrated by Teresa Mlawer
ISBN: 978-0-545-40455-6

As my second grade students are still working with half note and do patterns (prepare) - I am working with song selections and activities that allow for exploration of these concepts.

While reading this story, I am beginning with a simply ta ti-ti rhythmic pattern that can be played on rhythm sticks (i.e. Day of the Dead - ta ti-ti ta rest).  I will then change the rhythm pattern to include half note rhythms (i.e. Dead, dead, day of the dead - long-beat long-beat ta ti-ti ta rest).

I have attached a copy of the bone holding a sign that I used to write my rhythm patterns.  Simply download the pattern, print and laminate and you can write/wipe as many patterns as you would like.  If they are laminated, you can even let students write and wipe their own patterns!  :)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BONE ACTIVITY PATTERN.

The book currently available through SCHOLASTIC for only $1, so many of my GR 2 students that have LOVED buying books to make music with in the past, have been bringing in their dollars to have their own copy.

As we create new rhythm patterns using bones, students can cut out miniatures of the pattern and tape them into the story to create a play-along they can share at home.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK FROM AMAZON.