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Lesson plan · Grades K-2 · 30 minutes

Beat Buddies

I can keep a steady beat, tell the beat from the rhythm, and clap a four-beat pattern with long sounds, short sounds and rests.

▶ Open the tool Download the tool
Standard
MU:Pr4 NCAS
MU:Cr1 NCAS
Shape
Teach, then practice
Grouping
Whole class in a circle.
You need
The tool on the big screen with sound on. Space to sit in a circle.
Tool
curioclass.org/tools/beat-buddies/
  1. Hook4 min
  2. Teach9 min
  3. Practice9 min
  4. Apply5 min
  5. Exit check3 min

Before class

  • Open March. The space bar starts and stops the music.
  • Turn Motion off if the marching on screen distracts your class; the music and hearts keep going.

Hook 4 min

  1. Everyone puts a hand on their heart. "Feel that? It keeps going and going. Music has a heartbeat too."
  2. Press March! and pat knees on every heart.

Teach 9 min

  1. Try Slow and Quick. "Did the beat change? Did it stay steady?" (It got slower or faster, but it stayed steady.)
  2. Switch to Rhythm. Introduce the cards one at a time: Bear says ta (one clap), Bunny says ti-ti (two quick claps), Snail says ta-a (clap and hold), Owl says shh (open hands, no sound).
  3. Explain the big idea: the beat is the steady heartbeat underneath, and the rhythm is the pattern of sounds on top.

Practice 9 min

  1. Build a pattern together: tap a card, then a box. Press Play and clap it four times.
  2. Turn on Hear the beat so the class hears the heartbeat under the rhythm.
  3. Press Surprise me for two or three new patterns to clap.
  4. Turn on the Freeze game in March for a quick wiggle break: freeze when the music stops.

Apply 5 min

  1. Switch to Echo. The cards turn face down and the buddies play a pattern. The class listens, then claps it back on "Ready... Go!"
  2. Press Show me to check. Start with bears and bunnies, then add the owl.

Exit check 3 min

Clap your name: "Mi-a" is ti-ti, "Sam" is ta. Children clap their own names one at a time around the circle while you pat a steady beat. Then ask: "Is the owl's beat gone, or still there?" (Still there.)

Support and stretch

  • Support: stay with bear and bunny cards only.
  • Support: pat the beat on knees while you say the card words, before clapping.
  • Stretch: turn on Show notes to see the music notes under each card.
  • Stretch: a child builds a pattern for the class to clap, then the class echoes it.

Short on time

  • March with Slow and Quick (4 min).
  • Build and Play one rhythm pattern (5 min).

How each button works is in the teacher notes. From Curio Class, free under CC BY 4.0: change it, print it, share it.