Feel the Beat

Curriculum Area

The Arts – Music (Level 1, Year 2)
Aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum, this lesson supports students in developing an understanding of rhythm and beat through body percussion.

Learning Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Identify and demonstrate the beat of a song using body percussion.
• Participate in a collaborative music activity, enhancing rhythm and coordination.
• Explore how music connects to movement and expression.

Resources

• Open space for movement
• Pre-selected song with a clear, steady beat (e.g., "E Rere Taku Poi" or another familiar waiata to connect with Te Ao Māori)
• Visual cue cards (clap, stomp, pat, snap)

Lesson Structure (30 Minutes)

1. Warm-Up – Feel the Beat (5 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Teacher taps a steady beat on their lap and asks students to copy.
• Introduce different body percussion movements (clap, stomp, pat, snap).
• Call and response: Teacher does short rhythmic patterns, and students echo.

2. Explore Body Percussion (5 minutes)

• Display visual cue cards one at a time and introduce their corresponding sound.
• Experiment with different speeds – slow, medium, and fast.
• Encourage students to create their own patterns by linking movements together.

3. Learning the Song’s Beat (10 minutes)

• Introduce the song selection and clap the beat while singing softly.
• Guide students to use body percussion to follow the beat while seated.
• Stand up and try moving with the beat (walk, stomp, or sway in time).
• Encourage students to feel the steady pulse without losing track of the song’s tempo.

4. Create a Group Performance (7 minutes)

• Divide students into three small groups. Assign each group one type of body percussion.
• Practise layering the different sounds together to form a rhythmic pattern.
• Perform the song as a class, with each group adding their sound at different points.

5. Reflection and Cool Down (3 minutes)

• Sit down and reflect on what they enjoyed most.
• Discuss how body percussion helps us connect with rhythm in songs.
• Finish with slow, relaxing claps, encouraging deep breathing.

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe student participation and engagement during body percussion activities.
• Informal questioning: "What did you notice about the beat?"
• Self-assessment: Thumbs up if they could feel and follow the beat, thumb sideways if they found it tricky.

Extension Opportunities

• Introduce taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) and discuss their rhythmic qualities.
• Encourage students to create their own short body percussion compositions to share with the class.

Teacher Reflection

• Did students engage with the concept of beat effectively?
• Were they able to create their own rhythmic patterns confidently?
• What might be adjusted to better support diverse learners next time?

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This high-energy, movement-based lesson ensures Year 2 students in New Zealand develop a foundational understanding of beat and rhythm in a fun and interactive way! 🎶👏