A New Language

Students in Grade One have been exploring the inherent rhythm of the English language all year, clapping and playing instruments to reflect the syllables of their spoken language.  At the same time, they have been building their sense of steady beat through movement, body percussion and playing instruments.  

This month, these two skills came together as the students began manipulating words that had one- and two-sounds on a beat.  We began by building musical phrases using the common words "chicken" and "egg".  Students learned how to compose a phrase as a group, and then perform it in unison (all at the same time).  Small groups then composed a rhythmic phrase using their own words that had one and two sounds on a beat.  They recorded their music with pictures and words, and then performed it on a percussion instrument.  The final step was learning how to write their ideas using musical notation.  

Ti Ti has two sounds on a beat.

Ta has one sound on a beat.

Grade One students have just learned that one sound on a beat is called "ta", and two sounds on a beat is called "ti ti", and that these rhythms are written like this:





This is our Grade One students' first foray into the language of musical notation!  Now that they understand how the symbols represent sound, they can read and perform new music, and even write their own!