Free Lesson Plans: 5 Rhythm Lessons for the Music Classroom

Are you ready to crank up the fun in your music classroom? This set of 5 music lessons will be just what you need. Each one is standards based, and each one is a sure fire winner with elementary age kids!

Battle of the Bands | Grade 4-6
It's the Battle of the Bands! Students divide into groups, practice and perform a percussion ensemble to win "Best Band!"

Objective: Students will work in small groups to read basic rhythms in their preparation to perform as an ensemble using non-pitched percussion instruments.

Standard: Fulfills Standard #5 of the National Standards for Music Education: Reading and notating music.

Materials: Student Music Books and Non-Pitched Percussion Instruments

Rhythmic Patterns | Grade 2-4
Students will participate in an active lesson introducing syncopated rhythms. The degree of difficulty may be modified based on the age level of the children.

Objective: Students will be introduced to, and perform, syncopated rhythms using body percussion.

Standard: Fulfills Standard #2 of the National Standards for Music Education: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

Materials: Paper and Metronome

Stomp | Grade K-1
Share a Stomp video with your students and the go on a sound scavenger hunt.

Objective: Students will listen to recorded sounds, and then compare sounds within the teaching space until they find a match for each one.

Standard: Fulfills Standard #6 of the National Standards for Music Education: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

Materials: A tape recorder with pre-recorded sounds prepared by the teacher.

Mystery Message Game | Grade 2-6
Students will compare and contrast rhythm/pitch sets in this musical twist on the classic "Hangman" game. This fun-filled game is an excellent follow-up activity to a unit introducing basic musical symbols including the quarter note, eighth note and quarter rest. Your students will love it!

Objective: Students will develop analytical skills as they compare and contrast rhythm/pitch sets.

Standard: Fulfills Standard #6 of the National Standards for Music Education: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

Materials: Mystery Message Game Worksheet, Paper, Pencils and Candy (Prizes)

Tic-Tac-Toe | Grade 2-6
Students will read and perform rhythms to win squares in this musical twist on the classic "Tic-Tac-Toe" game. Great fun!

Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of simple rhythms. This fun-filled game is an excellent follow-up activity to a unit introducing basic musical symbols including the quarter note, eighth note and quarter rest.

Standard: Fulfills Standard #5 of the National Standards for Music Education: Reading and notating music.

Materials: White Board and Marker

Enjoy!