Materials:  rhythm sheets, chalkboard, tape player

Instruments:  rhythm sticks, hand drums, wood blocks, maracas

Piece:  "Russian Dance" from The Nutcracker Suite - Tchiakovsky

CONCEPT:  Rhythm (reading rhythms and performing as an ensemble)

A. OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to perform a speech pattern using the primary rhythm from the piece as well as body percussion using a contrasting rhythm.

PROCEDURES:

1. Teacher has the students sight read the rhythmic pattern of Theme A (part 1) from their handouts (using syllables).
2. Teacher assigns body movements to syllables.
3. Teacher teaches a speech pattern to the class by rote using the rhythm from this theme.
4. Teacher has the students sight read the rhythmic pattern of Theme A (part 2) from their handouts (using syllables) while incorporating the same body movements as previously assigned. (Since many notes occur on upbeats, students are urged to feel the downbeats by moving their left hands downward while clapping)
5. Teacher reviews both patterns with the students until they have them memorized.
6. Teacher has the students form two circles (outer and inner) facing different directions.  Each circle is assigned either part 1 or part 2.
7. Teacher will have the students perform patterns while stepping the beat and turning the phrase.
8. Teacher will have the students switch parts and repeat the last step.
9. Teacher will have the students perform up to the tempo of the recording.
10. Teacher will put the performance with the recording.
11. Teacher will have the students switch parts and perform with the recording.
12. Teacher will have the students walk steady quarter note beats during Theme B.
13. Teacher will have the students clap steady eighth notes during the Transition (while stepping the beat).
14. Teacher will have the students perform everything up to this point with the music.
15. Teacher will have students sight-read the body score on the board for Theme A' as well as the Codetta section.
16. Teacher will have students perform entire piece with the recording.

B. OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to perform contrasting rhythmic patterns as an ensemble along with the recording of the "Russian Dance".

17. Teacher will divide the class into 4 sections.  (sizes of sections depend on amount of instruments)

Each section performs a part on a different instrument:

THEME A (1):   body clapping
THEME A (2):   rhythm sticks
THEME B:        hand drum, wood block
TRANSITION:             maracas
THEME A-CODETTA:  all sections play the same part!

18.  Teacher will ask students to trade instruments so that each student has the chance to play all of the parts. (Depending on time)

 
Click here for speech pattern.
 
Click here for sound.
 
Click here to s