Submitted by Sue Pastorek, Aurora, Illinois
Idea posted November 22, 2002
I use Hula Hoops to teach beat and simple rhythms to 1st graders. We practice the tas and ti-tis first. Then I put 4 hoops on the floor. I ask one student to stand in the first hoop and be a TA. Then I put two students in the second hoop as a TI TI. They put their arms around each others shoulders. For a rest, they sit in the hoop. When each hoop is filled, we clap and speak the rhythm. Then another group comes up. After 2 or 3 times, I choose 5 or 6 children and ask them to create a rhythm in the hoops. Then we clap the rhythm they have created.
The hoops help the children to understand what can be on one beat. Later, we can add half notes by reaching across the hoop to their neighbor. The children love it!