Submitted by Sydney Johnson, Orlando, Florida
Idea posted June 6, 2017
Goals: Introduce or review sixteenth notes
Grade levels: 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
Materials: 1 cup per student
Process:
Place two rhythms on the board: titi titi titi ta and titi tikkatikka titi ta. Have students read the rhythm, and then turn the rhythm into an ostinato by repeating it multiple times.
Demonstrate the body percussion for each rhythm:
For titi titi titi ta: pat-pat, clap-clap, pat-pat, clap.
For titi tikkatikka titi ta: right-pat, left-pat, clap-clap-clap-clap, right-pat, left-pat, clap.
Repeat the body percussion patterns as ostinati until all students are comfortable with the patterns.
Students will sit in a circle on the floor. The teacher will demonstrate the pattern on a cup. Many of the body percussion moves will translate directly to the cup.
titi titi titi ta = floor-floor, clap-clap, floor-floor, tap the cup.
titi tikkatikka titi ta titi = Tap the floor with the cup on the right, then on the left.
tikkatikka = Tap the cup against your hand to the rhythm.
titi = As before, right and then left.
ta = Pass the cup to the person on your left.
The titi titi titi ta pattern fits with any phrase similar to "I heard, I heard, the old man say..." and titi tikkatikka titi ta fits with "John Kanaka naka Tul i ae."
For "Tul-i-ae Oh! Tul-i-ae", students toss their cup in the air on "Oh!", and then reset their cup to be ready for the next phrase.
My kids absolutely LOVE this game. I used it with my 3rd graders this year in April - and they keep asking to play it nearly every time they come into the room. The pattern is just challenging enough to keep them engaged while also being at a tempo that is appropriate to fix any problems that may arise in the passing game.