Rhythm Safari Lesson Plan
Rhythm Safari
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Kindergarten
Music & Movement
30 Minutes
Why This Lesson?
Learning rhythm helps young students develop foundational musicality, improves listening skills, and enhances coordination and gross motor development, all while being a fun and engaging way to explore sound.
Objective
Students will be able to identify and create simple rhythms using animal sounds and movements, demonstrating an understanding of beat and tempo.
Teacher Preparation
- Review the Rhythm Safari Slide Deck and teacher notes.
- Print and cut out the Animal Rhythm Cards Activity.
- Gather optional percussion instruments (drums, shakers).
- Set up projector and audio for the slides.
Time needed: 15 minutes
Materials Needed
Rhythm Safari Slide Deck
Animal Rhythm Cards Activity
Small drums or shakers (Optional)
Scissors (for teacher prep)
Approach: Interactive & Movement-Based Tier 1 Classroom Lesson
Safari Itinerary
1
Warm-Up: Body Percussion Exploration
5 MIN
- Begin with simple body percussion. Ask students to clap hands, stomp feet, pat laps, and snap fingers.
- Encourage them to listen to your rhythm and try to copy it exactly.
- Explain: "We are making music with our very own bodies!"
2
Introduction: What is Rhythm?
5 MIN
- Use the Slide Deck to introduce rhythm concepts.
- Definition: Rhythm is like the heartbeat of music—a pattern of long and short sounds.
- Demonstrate: Play a simple rhythm (e.g., two short claps, one long stomp) and ask students to imitate it.
3
Main Activity: Animal Rhythm Cards
15 MIN
- Model: Show an animal on the slide deck. Demonstrate its sound and movement:
- • 🦁 Lion ROAR: One long sound
- • 🐒 Monkey EEE-EEE: Three quick sounds
- Practice: Distribute cards. Have students practice the sound and rhythm for each animal.
- Play: Call out an animal, and have students create the rhythm and movement together.
4
Cool Down: Listening Safari
5 MIN
- Play calm instrumental music with a clear beat.
- Students tap their laps gently to the beat.
- Discussion: "What was your favorite animal sound?" "What new rhythm did you learn today?"
Rhythm Safari Slides
Rhythm Safari
Adventure!
Get ready to explore the wild world of rhythm with animal friends!
🦁 🐒 🐘 🐦
Teacher Notes:
Welcome students to the Rhythm Safari! Ask them what they think a safari is and what animals they might see. Build excitement for exploring music with animals.
What is Rhythm?
Rhythm is the pattern of sounds in music!
It's like music's heartbeat!
Long
Short
Short
Teacher Notes:
Explain that rhythm is a pattern of sounds, like a heartbeat. Demonstrate a simple rhythm (e.g., clap, clap, stomp) and have students echo. Emphasize that music has patterns just like animals have patterns in their movements or sounds.
Lion: ROAR!
Rooooooooar!
A long, strong sound!
🦁
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the lion. Ask students what sound a lion makes (ROAR!). Guide them to understand it's a long sound. Have them practice making a long 'ROAR' sound and a big, slow movement to match.
🐒
Monkey: Chatter!
Ooh-ooh-ah-ah!
Quick, short sounds!
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the monkey. Ask what sound a monkey makes (Ooh-ooh-ah-ah!). Guide them to notice these are short, quick sounds. Have them practice making short monkey sounds and quick, small movements.
Elephant: Trumpet!
Tooooooot!
A big, powerful sound!
🐘
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the elephant. Ask for its sound (trumpet!). Explain it's a medium-long, powerful sound. Have them make an elephant sound and a medium, swaying movement.
🐦
Bird: Tweet!
Tweet-tweet-tweet!
Tiny, quick sounds!
Teacher Notes:
Introduce the bird. Ask for its sound (chirp, tweet!). Point out these are very short, light sounds. Have them make bird sounds and quick, fluttering movements.
Safari Rhythm Review!
🦁
Roooooooar!
Long & Strong
🐒
Ooh-ooh-ah-ah!
Short & Quick
🐘
Tooooooot!
Powerful Medium
🐦
Tweet-tweet-tweet!
Light & Very Fast
Animal Rhythm Cards Activity
Animal Rhythm Cards
Safari Explorer Activity
How to Play:
1. Cut out each card along the dotted lines.
2. Look at the animal and think of its sound.
3. Practice the rhythm and a big movement!
4. Perform for a friend or the whole class!
🦁
LION
ROOOOOOAR!
Long & Strong
Make a long sound and a big, slow stretch!
🐒
MONKEY
Ooh-ooh-ah-ah!
Quick & Short
Make quick sounds and quick, small wiggles!
🐘
ELEPHANT
TOOOOOOT!
Powerful Medium
Make a medium sound and a slow, heavy stomp!
🐦
BIRD
Tweet-tweet-tweet!
Light & Very Fast
Make short sounds and flutter your wings!
