Ideas for Using Rhythm Flashcards (Or Any Printed Rhythm Exercises) Have students keep a copy of each

of each overview sheet to refer to. Have students write in the counts below each rhythm. Clap rhythms or count rhythms aloud as an ensemble. For rhythms that have rests, count the rhythms and clap on each rest. Half the ensemble plays while the other half claps or counts. Stomp the downbeats to emphasize them. Half the students clap the subdivision pulse while the other students count and clap the rhythm. Develop independence: Divide the class into as many groups as desired. Using either an overview sheet or flashcards posted on the chalkboard, each group plays a different rhythm at the same time. Number each rhythm used so every group knows where to start. After each rhythm is repeated four times everyone moves to the next groups rhythm. Choose a rhythm of the day (perhaps one that appears in the ensemble music) and incorporate it into warmups. Post multiple flashcards on the board and randomly point to one for the ensemble to perform. Repeat a rhythm on each note of a scale ascending and descending. Using the overview sheets, have students repeat a rhythm four times, and then move to the next one in a column or row. (Optional: add four beats of rest between each new rhythm.) Rhythmic Dictation: Using an overview sheet, a teacher or student plays any rhythm on the sheet. The rest of the class transcribes it or notates the rhythms number from the overview sheet. For an advanced version, perform two rhythms simultaneously and have the class identify them both.