Keep the Beat and Clap the Rhythm

One activity that works well when teaching a new song is to sing the song while keeping a steady beat with your hands and then contrast that to clapping the rhythm of the words.  You have to be sure they understand the difference and can do each separately and then can switch back and forth as they sing the song.

Once the children can do both activities easily, you can then have half of the children keep the beat while the other half does the rhythm.

Senior Primary is capable of keeping the steady beat with their feet while clapping the rhythm with their hands.  They respond well to a challenge.  As you keep them challenged with difficult musical activities they will love singing time.

Beat:  for the younger children it is easiest to have both hands do the same thing so they can pat their lap with two hand to keep the beat.  Older children can "walk" their hands on their lap to the beat of the music, alternating right and left.

Rhythm:  for this activity we are using the pattern of short and long sounds made up by the words of the song.  Clap every syllable of every word to the exact pattern formed by the music to create the "rhythm of the words".

Here are my two signs I use with the children.  I like to go to the paint store and purchase paint stirring sticks to attach to my signs but this is certainly not necessary.