Rhythm Patterns with “The Shoemaker”

Adaptations / Extensions

For older students, write words on the board, count sounds of each pattern, and assign note-values to each (confirm by looking at the size of our claps). Each student writes the patterns.

For even older students: Take a walk…if you hear “Pull Pull,” skate; if “Tap tap tap,” patsch with a friend; if “Wind it this-a-way,” tap it on the wall.

Bonus Game

One person thinks of a pattern and plays it without speaking. The others try out different words and patterns to determine which one it is. Try it! Try another! Which feels better?

Assessment / Reflection Suggestions

Using space is crucial to the comfort of playing fast and slow notes, so take time to practice. When “guessing” a pattern, an answer is never “right” or “wrong,” rather we have to try both and rely on their skill (that we have been teaching) of identifying which one feels more in unison.