Teach children about different types of notes in music and the rhythms they make. For example, a quarter note gets one beat, a half note gets two beats and a whole note gets four beats.
Divide various rhythms into measures, and put only four beats in a measure. Draw bar lines or vertical lines to divide one measure from another. Have your students help you put only four beats in each measure. Tell your students how much of each measure one note makes. For example, a half note takes up only 2 beats, or 1/2 of the measure. Use a pie to show your students about fractions and how the rhythms demonstrate fractions.
Teach your students how to clap and count the rhythms. Count to four in each measure. Clap normally for quarter notes, clap and hold your hands together for half notes, and clap and rub your hands together for whole notes.
Write out two or three one-measure rhythms on the board. Divide your class into teams and ask each team to clap one of the rhythm patterns on the board. Continue adding groups and rhythm patterns and listen to how the different rhythms fit together.
Listen to a variety of songs that have to do with the subject you want to teach. For example, there are many songs that teach about animals and the sounds they make or actions they do. Choose a few songs you like or that you feel would work with your students.
Introduce the song to your students. For example, if you are going to sing "Old MacDonald," tell your students you are going to sing a song about a man named Old MacDonald who had a farm. Ask your students to come up with names of animals who live on a farm.
Hand out the lyrics to the song if your students can read, or write the words on the board. You can also display pictures or use puppets or stuffed animals.
Encourage your students to sing along with you or with a recording of the tune.
Use the song as a way to jump start a conversation or lesson about different animals, where they live and how they sound or act.
Listen to a variety of songs that include directions for movement or actions. There are many songs that ask children to jump, gallop, tiptoe, tap their knees or other actions. Choose songs you feel your students would enjoy.
Introduce a song to your class. Before you start the song, tell them the different movements they will have to do, and encourage students to show you how to do the movement.
Start the song and encourage your students to participate. You may want to walk in a circle while the song is playing, or stand in a circle so that each student can see you or another student doing the movements.
Use instruments or other items like scarves or ribbons as props. These props can make the song and activity more exciting or motivating for students. Pick a variety of songs and props that encourage the use of fine and gross motor coordination.
Repeat movement activities in future classes. The more a child hears a song, the more likely she is to remember it and follow directional movement instructions later.