How to Use Rhythm Instruments to Teach Reading
Young children are naturally attracted to books that have a rhythmic component, which is one reason that musical approaches to teaching them work so well. For students who are struggling with reading but enjoy music, you can tap into their musical interests by letting them read rhythmic texts while using rhythm instruments. This not only can motivate a child during the choral reading itself, but it can also carry over to the child's ability to read other texts more fluently.
Instructions
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Choose a rhthmic text that you would like students to read. Short stories that use simple words and contain plenty of repetition are ideal.
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Read the story slowly, listening for the underlying rhythm. Make sure that the rhythm stays essentially the same throughout. This should all be completed before entering the classroom.
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Give students their own copies of the rhythmic text and tell them that you will be reading it "chorally," or together as a class. Explain that you will be able to read it together as a class because you will read it with a specific rhythm.
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Use a tambourine or other rhythm instrument to tap out the rhythm. Repeat this several times and then tell students that on the next beat they will start reading along with the rhythm.
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Start them off, if necessary, and then let the class read chorally according to the rhythm.
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Tips & Warnings
Good rhythmic texts include many books by either Dr. Suess or P. D. Eastman, both of which have a set rhythm, easy words and plenty of repetition.
Possible rhythm instruments include drums, maracas, tambourines, egg shakers, rhythm sticks and triangles.
Do not point out specific students who are having difficulty reading. Choral reading should be fun and enjoyable and should not seem like an army drill.
References
- Photo Credit a pair of maracas image by Wayne Abraham from Fotolia.com
