Integrating captivating children’s literature into music education offers a dynamic approach to learning. For educators seeking innovative methods to teach fundamental music concepts, the beloved book “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” provides an exceptional foundation. This lesson plan leverages the rhythmic text of “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” to explore beat, rhythm, and instrumental skills in a fun and memorable way for young learners.
Warming Up with Beat and Familiar Tunes
Begin the lesson with a familiar and engaging warm-up activity. Gather students around a piano, or utilize a guitar or ukulele if available. Select a song previously learned by the class and play it, encouraging students to participate by keeping a steady beat.
Initiate the beat-keeping activity by asking, “Who can keep the steady beat to this song?”. Start singing a well-known tune like the alphabet song. This familiar melody serves as an accessible entry point for students to engage with the concept of a steady beat. Transition smoothly into the book introduction by saying, “Great! That reminds me of a super fun book that we can read today! And we can keep the steady beat to it.” This creates a natural bridge to the core lesson activity using “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”.
Exploring Rhythm and Instruments with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Elementary music lesson using Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book to teach beat and rhythm. This lesson plan is designed for elementary music classrooms and incorporates beat strips and rhythm reading for young children.
Introduce the book “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and explain that the class will be exploring the rhythms within the story. Prepare rhythm strips beforehand, featuring key phrases from the book such as “Chicka chicka boom boom,” “Will there be enough room?” and “I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.” Write out the rhythms of these phrases using rhythm syllables (e.g., ta and titi) and standard notation if appropriate for the age group. Using paperclips to secure the rhythms on the strips can enhance their durability and ease of use in the classroom, as shown in the image above.
Practice rhythm reading with the students. First, read the rhythms using the words from the book phrases, then repeat them using rhythm syllables (ta, titi). This dual approach helps students connect the spoken words with their rhythmic representation.
Next, distribute small percussion instruments to each student. Castanets are a particularly effective and engaging choice for this lesson due to their clear sound and ease of use for young children. Guide students in practicing the rhythms using their instruments. Ensure they can play the rhythms accurately and in time with the beat.
Once students are comfortable playing the rhythms, prepare for a dynamic reading of “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.” Read the book aloud with enthusiasm. As you reach the key phrases that are on the rhythm strips (“Chicka chicka boom boom,” etc.), cue the students to play their instruments on the corresponding rhythm. Encourage them to repeat the rhythm back to you after you model it, reinforcing their learning and participation.
To maintain classroom management and focus, establish a clear visual cue for when students should and should not be playing their instruments. A helpful technique is to have students place their instruments on the floor and put their hands on their shoulders when they are not playing. Mirror this action yourself to provide a visual reminder and maintain consistency.
Concluding Activities: Reinforcing Rhythm Concepts
To effectively conclude the “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” lesson, incorporate activities that reinforce the concepts of ta and titi rhythms and provide opportunities for student creativity and assessment. Here are several engaging closing activities:
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Group Rhythm Creation: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different line from “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.” Challenge them to work together to figure out the rhythm of their assigned line and notate it using rhythm syllables or notation appropriate for their level. This collaborative activity encourages teamwork and deeper engagement with the rhythmic aspects of the text.
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Rhythm Writing and Scene Illustration: Provide students with worksheets featuring lines from the book and space to write the corresponding rhythms. Enhance this activity by including a picture from the book scene associated with their assigned line for them to color. This integrates visual art with music and reinforces the connection between rhythm and the narrative. Resources for these worksheets can be found in supplementary lesson packs designed for “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” music lessons.
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Word Sort Exit Ticket: Prepare cards with individual words representing ta and titi rhythms (e.g., “apple” for titi, “banana” for ta). As an exit ticket, give each student a card and have them sort the words into “ta” or “titi” categories. This provides a quick, non-writing assessment of their understanding of rhythmic values, particularly useful in classrooms without desks or tables.
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Heartbeat Rhythm Charts: Utilize heartbeat rhythm charts as a visual tool for rhythm composition. Provide students with charts and have them write rhythms using notation or manipulatives to represent ta and titi patterns. Heartbeat charts are readily available in online resource libraries for music educators, often offered for free as part of resource packs.
Classroom activities using heartbeat charts for rhythm lessons and calming down activities for elementary students. The image displays examples of heartbeat charts used in an educational setting.
These closing activities offer varied approaches to solidify rhythm understanding and cater to different learning styles, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging conclusion to the “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” music lesson.
This “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” lesson provides a highly effective and enjoyable method for teaching beat and rhythm to elementary students. Its success is particularly notable with early elementary grades, such as first grade, where the alphabet theme of the book resonates well, especially at the beginning of the school year.
To further enhance this lesson, remember to acquire the book “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and explore supplementary resources such as the Teacher Pay Teachers product mentioned, which offers additional materials to enrich the lesson.
For educators seeking lesson ideas based on other children’s books, feel free to leave suggestions in the comments or reach out via email at [email protected]. Your input is valuable for creating more engaging and book-based music lessons.
Happy teaching and musical exploration!
