This month, Lower Elementary students are working on reading rhythms with percussion instruments. So far, the children have mastered reading and playing eighth notes, quarter notes, and rests. They have really enjoyed making their own compositions and sharing it with their class. We use syllables to determine sounds: for example, “apple, pear, apple, pear” would be composed as “two eighth notes, quarter note, two eighth notes, quarter note”. 

Instruments like shakers, rhythm sticks, wood blocks, drums and tambourines are a wonderful tool to practice keeping a steady beat, changing tempos, hand-eye coordination, and distinguishing timbre. As the year progresses, more challenging pitched instruments will be introduced.