Rhythm Basketball – Great Lesson for 4th and 5th!

by | 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Elementary Music, Ideas by Grade, Rhythm

We are finishing up Unit 1: Rhythm and I feel like I have brought out all the “old material,” already tried some cool new material (like centers!), but was still missing something. I have great rapport with my kids, but sometimes have a hard time reaching my “too cool for school; all I love is sports” kiddos.

I also needed a way for them to be actually practicing reading the rhythms. Therefore I created a self-advancing PowerPoint presentation and timed it so that the notes they dribbled highlighted in red. I also made a version for us to practice with that did not self-advance. (I learned the hard way that you needed slides that did not advance to the next slide in the middle of your explanation!).

My kids performed a variety of songs depending on the class, level, and needs of the class. I made presentations for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” “Beauty in the World” by Macy Gray, “Fireflies” by Owl City and “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles. They are all included in the new resource on my TpT store along with the accompanying lesson plan for 4th and 5th grade!

Student Examples

Here are my kids doing “Beauty in the World.” It isn’t perfect, but it was a great way to differentiate the way to present rhythm to my kids.

Here are my kids doing “Fireflies.”  They LOVE this one!!

You will have to supply the music, but I included instructions on how to attach it to the PowerPoint – anyone can do it, promise!. Here is a short instructional video on how to attach the songs.

If you have trouble or the timing is not working out, contact me and I can help!

This was a great lesson and a great way to get the kids excited about playing rhythms. I am using it as a transition into bucket drumming next week.

I hope your kids enjoy Rhythm Basketball as much as mine do!

Musically,

Shelley

picture of Shelley Tomich

I'm busy mom of three and music educator in Atlanta, GA. My passion is helping busy music teachers deliver time saving, engaging lessons so you have more time to enjoy your life! Click my photo to learn more! Teach music. Love life.

Find it Fast

colorful dot border

Let’s Connect

colorful dot border

Visit My Store

colorful dot border

picture of TpT logo

Popular Resources

colorful dot border

The cover includes a cartoon drawing of three students creating a maypole. The text on the cover says "Marvelous Maypole: Historical Facts, how to make a DIY maypole, dance instructions, lesson plans, and more!

Archives

colorful dot border

Archives

Categories

colorful dot border

Categories

19 Comments

  1. Gwen Mary Haywood

    I like the Rhythm Basketball!

    Reply
  2. Danielle

    I have purchased your set and have tried for three hours trying to time fireflies and I’ve tried everything and the notes are still slow compared to music. Any hints would be helpful. I’ve watched your video and did counting different ways but when I play it back it just doesn’t work.

    Reply
      • Kristin

        How did you get all of those balls??? Did you buy them?
        Thanks!
        Kristin

        Reply
        • Pitch Publications

          Hey Kristin! Good questions! No, I didn’t have the funds to get that many balls – I borrowed them from our PE teacher! You could also ask your local middle school to borrow some too if your school doesn’t have them 🙂

          Reply
  3. Ellyn

    Have you ever had the problem that it’s timed perfectly but when you save and export it as a video, the timing is messed up? This has happened a few times and I don’t know why.

    Reply
    • Pitch Publications

      Hey Ellyn,

      Usually it is a problem with the computer’s internal clock. Ppt just wasn’t meant to be used this way and the computers don’t work nicely with it. Instead, I use a screencast program like Screen Cast O Matic to record my screen and I manually go through it. If you send me proof of purchase of the music, I am happy to send you pre-timed videos. [email protected] 🙂

      Reply
  4. Patti

    Does the fireflies song start from the beginning on the slides? The link in the Readme is a sample on Apple Music?

    Reply
    • Pitch Publications

      Fireflies does start at the beginning. The link should take you to purchase the item on Apple Music. Email me with any further questions! [email protected]

      Reply
  5. Karen

    Just did your Nutcracker version with my grade 5/6 class. They did Trepak and LOVED it! Thanks so much 😀

    Reply
  6. Phoebe T. Lim

    Hi Shelley, Thank you for making such a wonderful resource. I can imagine it would be very fun for the students 🙂 I can’t wait to use it. I would like to know whether I can purchase and use this on my Mac. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Shelley with Pitch Publications

      Hey Phoebe! Thanks for visiting! Yes it is super fun! It works the same on the mac and PC 🙂 (In fact it was created on a mac!). If you buy the music that goes with it and email me a quick screenshot, I can send you the slides pretimed in movie format (directions for this are in the resource :)). You can grab them here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:%23pprhythmbasketball Thanks so much and email me at [email protected] with any other questions! Shelley

      Reply
  7. wendy norfleet

    I just purchased the basketball rhythms set. On the Macy Gray song, why is there red and black notation? There seems to a lot more screens than the music or am I not reading it right. I love these ideas you have and am looking forward to trying them with my kids at school.

    Reply
    • Shelley with Pitch Publications

      Hey Wendy! I will see if the system lets me email you directly too, but the notes highlighted in RED are the ones the students are supposed to play at that time. So if the page has 4 lines of music, then it will appear 4 times, first with the first line in red, next with the 2nd line, next with the 3rd line and then with the 4th line. Many of the slides then repeat all four lines. If this doesn’t make sense, email me [email protected] and I will try to explain it further! Thanks for your purchase and support! Musically, Shelley

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free stuff!


Want free resources? Enter your information to join my email list and get exclusive access to my freebie library!

You will also receive regular emails with tips, resources, freebies, and updates on paid products.

You did it! Check your email for more information!