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
I like the Rhythm Basketball!
Thanks!!! My kiddos do too!!
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.
Danielle! Oh no, I will shoot you an email :). If you don’t receive an email from me, please email me at [email protected].
Thanks!
How did you get all of those balls??? Did you buy them?
Thanks!
Kristin
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 🙂
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.
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] 🙂
Does the fireflies song start from the beginning on the slides? The link in the Readme is a sample on Apple Music?
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]
Just did your Nutcracker version with my grade 5/6 class. They did Trepak and LOVED it! Thanks so much 😀
You are so very welcome!
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.
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
Hi Lacy! You can find them here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:#pprhythmbasketball :). They are on sale today too! 5/4/16. Thanks for your interest!!
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.
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
How do I purchase the basketball rhythm sets?
I already responded but it did not nest correctly under the comment – you can get them here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:#pprhythmbasketball :).