M.PR.1: Present or demonstrate an existing work, formally or informally, with appropriate expressive and technical skills.

K.M.PR.1.3 Experience steady beat using instruments or body percussion to accompany songs and rhythm activities.

Student Actions

Teacher Actions

• Perform the steady beat with songs or rhythm activities on instruments or with body percussion.

• Demonstrate steady beat.

• Provide listening examples or rhythm activities with a strong steady beat.

Key Understandings

Teacher Insights

• Steady beat.

• Students may use the words “rhythm” and “beat” interchangeably. It may be helpful to describe “rhythm” as “the way the words go.”

Resources

Lesson Ideas

Supporting Resources

• Paper Snowballs Beat Activity - Make Moments Matter Steady beat activity with snowballs. 

• Beanie Buddies Beat Activity - Make Moments Matter Multiple lesson ideas for students using beanie buddies or small stuffed animals. 

• The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Steady Beat - Victoria Boler Quick ways to get started teaching steady beat.

• Steady Beat vs. No Beat Ideas - Beth's Music Classroom Finding creative ways to help young students understand the concept of steady beat and no beat.