Read About Time Signatures

Do the Valentine Cinnamon Hearts Listening Activity

Review “Love Somebody”

"Love Somebody” is a rhythm-reading song. Read the sixteenth notes in the song. Invite your students to create a B section by writing a “Roses are Red” poem. Sing the song as the A section, read a poem, and then sing the A section again. If you are using this in performance, vote on which poem is the funniest. Use the funniest poem as the B section for your performance.

Play the singing game “Love Somebody”

One student holds a valentine and walks around the outside of the circle. At the end of the song, the student holding the valentine puts the valentine behind another student. This student picks the valentine up, leaves the circle, and tries to tag the student who placed the valentine behind them before that student gets to the hole in the circle.

Denise Tip: I often use an imaginary valentine instead of a real one, because picking up the valentine slows down the chaser and gives the runner too much of a head start. Alternatively, you can use a large basket with a valentine already in it so it's easier to pick up.

Do a body percussion activity with “Love Somebody”

We're going to do a body percussion activity with the song "Love Somebody"

Start by reading the words of the song.

Next read the rhythms of the song.

Transfer body percussion to unpitched instruments

Divide the class into four groups - drums, metals, woods, shakes/scrapes.

Have the drums play on beat 1.

Another option for students at home is to play all parts on a bucket.
Drum = side.
Metals = top.
Sticks = rim.
Snap = click sticks.

Learn about the song “Yankee Doodle”

The melody for Yankee Doodle was. It is thought that a British doctor, Richard Schuckburg wrote new words to make fun of the American colonists who fought with the British in the French and Indian war. But during the American revolution, Yankee Doodle became an unofficial anthem for what became the American army. Today it’s considered a patriotic song and is the state song of Connecticut.

Teacher note: The text to "Yankee Doodle Stick Game" may be considered mocking or harsh. While we acknowledge that the lyrics may be mocking, we have chosen to include this song in our resource because of its prominence in American history and use as a patriotic song today. We ask that you consider the needs of your classroom and your community when making decisions about using this song.

Create a cup game for "Yankee Doodle"

Use bean bags with patriotic fabrics or use red, white and blue bean bags; or do this with cups as a cup game. Start by teaching just one pattern. When students are successful, introduce the other patterns.

Pattern 1:
8x Beat 1 clap
Beat 2 clap
Beat 3 pick up bean bag
Beat 4 pass (set bean bag down in front of the person on their right)
Say: clap, clap, pick, pass

Pattern 2:
8x Beat 1 R.H. goes up to forehead in salute position
Beat 2 R.H. moves out from forehead in a salute
Beat 3 R.H. picks up bean bag
Beat 4 R.H. passes bean bag to their neighbors
Say: attention, salute, pick, pass

Pattern 3:
8x Beat 1-2 pat, pat
Beat 3-4 clap, clap
Beat 5-6 pat, pat
Beat 7-8 pick up bean bag, pass
Say: pat, pat, clap, clap, pat, pat, pick, pass

Review “Friends Forever”

Review the choreography for “Friends Forever”

Do the full choreography for “Friends Forever”

Optional: Learn the bucket drumming arrangement for "Friends Forever"

Perform Rhythms in Different Tempos and Time Signatures

In this activity, choose rhythms in different tempos and different time signatures.

Choose examples that your students are able to read. Click on the home icon to see the main menu of all the levels.