I love using Gunild Keetman's Rhythm Building Blocks/Bricks to explore the rhythms embedded in language (and vice versa)! Here are some of my favorite rhythmic language activities which use Rhythm Building Blocks:
* Extract two-beat patterns from simple poetry (or lyrics) and match
them to corresponding Building Blocks.
* Create a list of themed words and phrases and then explore/match
their rhythms to the Building Blocks.
* Give students word/phrase slips and have them discover and write
the rhythm notation above the words. Then have students work in
groups of four to create and share a performance sequence.
* Then have students compose using body percussion or a limited
tone set based on their rhythms.
A couple of hints: (1) Choose text carefully to set students up for joyful and successful learning. Whenever possible, use separate words for separate beats or subdivisions. For example, "falling leaves" for 'ti-ti tah' or 'tiki-ti.' (2) This traditionally K-2 technique works very well with older students and more complex notation. For example, a two beat rhythm comprised of a quarter note and two eighth notes sounds the same as a one-beat pattern comprised of one eighth note with two sixteenth notes.
Note: I include black and white printables in my sets for economical printing.
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