Rhythm and Pulse Year 3 Notations - Concentration

In a Year 3 music lesson, children explore rhythm and pulse through a concentration exercise set to a simple, catchy chant. The notation guides them to maintain a steady beat as they pronounce the words "Concentration, concentration, application, keep the rhythm, keep the rhythm off we go!" The activity is designed to be engaging and interactive, with the children sitting in a circle and performing a sequence of actions that include tapping their knees, clapping their hands, and clicking their fingers to the right and left in time with the rhythm.

The objective of the exercise is to reinforce the concept of pulse in music by keeping it consistent throughout the song. After chanting the rhyme and executing the associated actions, the game introduces a fun twist where the leader will say their name on the first click and another child's name on the second. The named child then continues the pattern, saying their own name and choosing someone else's, with the game proceeding in this manner. Mistakes such as hesitating, saying the wrong name, or losing the pulse can lead to a child being 'out' of the game. As the children's skills improve, the criteria for being out become stricter, focusing solely on maintaining the pulse. The chant can also be adapted into ball games for further musical and physical coordination challenges, as detailed in the Singing Games Key Stage 2 lesson plans.