Instrumental - Year 3 Activity Sheet 1

This activity sheet is designed for Year 3 students to explore rhythm and pulse through a series of progressive musical exercises. The activities should be completed in sequence, ensuring that each one is mastered before moving on to the next. The first step invites students to sing the tune "Engine Engine Number Nine" while tapping the steady pulse on their knees, helping them to internalize the beat of the music. Following this, they are asked to sing again, but this time, clapping the rhythm of the words to distinguish between the rhythm and the underlying pulse.

Moving on, students are encouraged to think the words silently and focus solely on clapping the rhythm, sharpening their ability to understand rhythmic patterns without vocal cues. The fourth activity involves thinking the words in their heads while playing the rhythm on musical instruments, adding a tactile element to their learning. The fifth task splits the group, with half of the students playing the pulse on their instruments while the other half claps the rhythm, all using their 'thinking voices' to mentally rehearse the words. The sixth exercise introduces the concept of an ostinato—a repetitive musical phrase—where students sing and play a given ostinato pattern. Lastly, as an extension, they are challenged to create their own ostinato, fostering creativity and reinforcing their understanding of musical repetition and structure. These activities are part of the ACTIVE MUSIC series for Year 3, Lesson 3.