To teach 4th graders about dotted rhythms, I use a recording from an old MacMillan book called "Sore Foot March" which makes dotted rhythms easy to hear, compared to "straight quarter notes." If you can't find the recording, pat a drum. Alternate between dotted and straight rhythms, and students have to keep up by putting the rhythms in their feet.
The 4th graders march around the room (or pat on their knees) to the different patterns: uneven (dotted) or even (straight).
Here are frequent 2-beat patterns that I use to make into flashcards - and also into visual aids. I put 2 shoes together to make 4-beat patterns. We practice saying the patterns (with "tam-ti" for dotted quarter-eighth patterns). Then, when students have flashcards (5 shoes per envelope) - either one envelope per student - or partners working together - I say a 4-beat pattern, and they must put two of the shoes together in the correct order. Then we check our answers.
Also see the Ama Lama post.
This worksheet could be used to "ta" the rhythms or as rhythmic dictation (they identify which one I say).
This worksheet could be used to "ta" the rhythms or as rhythmic dictation (they identify which one I say).
