Rhythm Note Jam

Lesson 3 of 10

Unit Title: Recorder Rhythms Unleashed
Year Level: Year 4
Learning Area: The Arts – Music
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 30 students

---

🎯 Australian Curriculum Alignment

Curriculum Area: The Arts – Music
Strand: Music Practices / Exploring and Responding
Content Descriptions (Years 3–4):

• ACAMUM084: Practise singing, playing instruments and improvising music, using elements of music (such as rhythm, pitch, dynamics and form) in meaningful and increasingly complex ways.
• ACAMUM085: Create, perform and record compositions by selecting and organising sounds, silence, tempo and volume.
• ACAMUR083: Explore and identify how the elements of music are used in different styles and how they communicate ideas and feelings.

---

👩‍🏫 Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand and identify the duration of whole notes (semibreves), half notes (minims), quarter notes (crotchets) and their rests.
• Clap and count a variety of rhythmic patterns using proper terminology and timing.
• Apply rhythms to basic notes on the recorder (B, A, G), playing in unison.
• Collaborate in pairs to create and perform an original 8-beat rhythm pattern.

---

✅ Success Criteria

Students will be successful when they can:

• Correctly identify note names and values.
• Perform a clapped rhythm and match it with the correct note duration.
• Demonstrate accurate rhythmic playing of B, A, and G notes on the recorder.
• Work cooperatively to create and perform a rhythmic composition.

---

🧠 Prior Knowledge

Students should have:

• Knowledge of the notes B, A, and G on the recorder.
• Experience reading and clapping simple 4-beat rhythms.
• Basic breath control and fingering techniques for the recorder.

---

📚 Lesson Sequence

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 mins)

• Welcome students and briefly review last week’s recorder techniques (focus on B, A, and G).
• Vocal warm-up: "Copy Cat Rhythms" – teacher claps a 4-beat rhythm, students echo back.
• Quick recorder check: Play B–A–G descending line in tempo (teacher leads).

---

2. Interactive Rhythm Theory (10 mins)

Resource: Large rhythm cards (whole, half, quarter notes + corresponding rests)

• Introduce note values using visual flashcards:
  • Whole Note (Semibreve) = 4 beats
  • Half Note (Minim) = 2 beats
  • Quarter Note (Crotchet) = 1 beat
  • Discuss silence through rests (whole rest, half rest, quarter rest).
• Kinesthetic Link:
  • Whole note: slow step and sustained arm raise
  • Half note: two slow claps
  • Quarter: four hops
  • Rest: "Freeze" pose

---

3. Clap and Count Practice (8 mins)

Use body percussion and rhythm cards.

Activity Name: “Pass the Pulse”

• Students sit in a circle.
• Teacher displays a rhythm (e.g. quarter–quarter–half–rest).
• Each student claps one beat around the circle, continuing the rhythm.
• Variation: Put students into four small groups; each group performs a different rhythm simultaneously (introduces layering and timing).

---

4. Recorder Rhythm Application (10 mins)

Objective: Play written rhythms using B, A, and G

• Display on the board: 4-beat rhythmic patterns with recorder note letters under each beat (e.g. G–A–G–rest using quarter notes).
• Students read, clap, and then play the rhythm.
• Emphasise breath control and tonguing techniques for articulation.
• Game Challenge: “Rhythm Rocket” – teacher holds up a rhythm flashcard and calls a note (e.g. minim + A), students must play it as a class on their recorder.

---

5. Rhythmic Composition in Pairs (8 mins)

Materials: Mini whiteboards or rhythm stencil sheets

• Students pair up and write an 8-beat rhythm pattern using quarter, half, or whole notes and rests.
• Under each rhythm, assign recorder notes (B, A, or G).
• Practise clapping the rhythm first, then playing on their recorder.
• One or two pair performances for the class with positive peer feedback.

---

6. Reflection and Wrap-Up (4 mins)

• Whole-class discussion:
  • What did you find tricky about today’s rhythms?
  • Which new note/rest was your favourite to use?
• Recap key terms: crotchet, minim, semibreve, rest.
• Foreshadow next week: "We'll be layering rhythms and using percussion instruments!"

---

🎒 Resources and Materials

• Projector or whiteboard for rhythm demonstrations
• Large rhythm flashcards (notes + rests)
• Mini whiteboards and markers OR printed rhythm writing stencils
• Recorders for each student
• Percussion instruments (optional for layering rhythm)

---

🛠 Differentiation and Support

For Extension:

• Students compose a 12-beat pattern instead of 8.
• Use syncopation and dotted rhythms for challenge.
• Introduce alternate recorder notes (e.g. high C or E) for advanced players.

For Support:

• Use colour-coded note charts for visual learners.
• Partner students in mixed-ability pairs.
• Provide pre-written rhythm patterns for students to trace or copy.

---

🔁 Assessment (Formative)

• Teacher circulates during clapping and performance tasks, using an observation checklist:
  • ❑ Identifies note durations correctly
  • ❑ Performs rhythm accurately when clapping
  • ❑ Plays aligned rhythm using B, A, G on the recorder
  • ❑ Cooperates with partner in composition task

---

🌟 Teacher Reflection Prompt

Following lesson, consider:

• Did students grasp the concept of rests as equal to sound in rhythm?
• How confident were they applying theory to actual recorder performance?
• Which students might need more support next week for rhythmic accuracy?
• Could movement-based rhythm games improve engagement or understanding?

---

📝 Notes for Next Lesson

Lesson 4 Title: Percussion Partners: Polyrhythms and Pulse
Focus: Integrating layered rhythms using unpitched percussion and recorders.

---

🙌 Stay musical, stay curious!