Drum Beat Moves
The teacher plays different rhythms on a hand drum, and each rhythm means a way of moving: slow beats for giant steps, fast beats for tiptoe running, skipping beats for kangaroo hops and silence to stop. Students practice listening, keeping the beat and matching movement to sound.
How to play
- Gather students and introduce the four codes by playing each one: slow, fast, skipping (long-short) and silence (2 min).
- Practice each code on its own: everyone moves around the area following the exact beat of the drum (4 min).
- Mix the codes without warning; anyone who gets it wrong is not out, they just switch to the right move (4 min).
- Add a tap on the drum rim: it means change direction or move backward (2 min).
- Take turns: three students play the drum and lead the group for one minute each (3 min).
Rules
- Walk or run in the same direction as everyone else to avoid collisions.
- On silence, freeze like a statue.
- Play the drum with an open hand and never hit it against anything.
Variations
Easier
Use just two codes: slow to walk and silence to stop.
Standard
Use all four codes plus the rim tap.
Harder
Match each code to an animal and a different level: high, middle or low.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student moves in the wheelchair at different speeds and shows the hops with arms.
- Hearing impairment: pair each rhythm with a big arm motion of the hand holding the drum.
- Autism: give a heads-up before fast rhythms and let the student play the drum if it is calming.
Learning goals
- Identify different rhythms and link each one to a movement.
- Match travel speed to the beat they hear.
- Lead the group by playing a rhythm on an instrument.
Equipment for a class of 25
- hand drum: 1
Teacher tip
Make the rhythms very clearly different, especially at the start. Getting a turn on the drum is highly motivating, so announce who is next in advance.
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