Unit Plan 12 (Grade K Music): Rhythm Echoes

Focus: Echo simple rhythmic patterns using voice and instruments, and begin to organize patterns with simple icons.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Music (Creating • Performing)

Total Unit Duration: 2–4 sessions (2+ weeks), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become “rhythm echoers” as they listen to short clap, tap, or instrument patterns and echo them back using their voices and classroom instruments. They practice listening first, then performing with a steady beat and clear starts and stops. Students also begin to organize their rhythm ideas using simple icon cards or drawings, and they learn to try again using teacher feedback to improve accuracy.

Essential Questions

• How can we listen carefully so we can echo a rhythm pattern?
• What does it mean to keep a steady beat when we clap or play?
• How can pictures or symbols help us remember a rhythm?
• How can feedback from the teacher and classmates help us get better at echoing rhythms?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Listen to and echo short rhythm patterns using body percussion (clap, pat, tap) and simple instruments.
2. Keep a steady beat while echoing patterns with the class.
3. With guidance, use icon cards or simple drawings to show a short rhythm pattern they have heard or created.
4. Respond to teacher feedback by trying a rhythm echo again with improved accuracy.
5. Create a simple personal rhythm pattern and help organize it using icons or recording technology.

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NAfME-Aligned)

• MU:Cr2.1.Ka — With guidance, organize personal musical ideas using iconic notation and/or recording technology.
  • Example: Drawing symbols to represent loud and soft sounds.
• MU:Pr5.1.Kb — With guidance, apply teacher-provided and collaboratively developed criteria and feedback to improve performance accuracy.
  • Example: Singing again after teacher feedback to improve pitch or timing.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can listen first and then echo a short rhythm pattern with my hands or an instrument.
• I can keep a steady beat while the class claps or plays together.
• I can use pictures or symbols to show a simple rhythm pattern.
• I can try again after feedback and make my echo more accurate.