Farmyard Beat

Title: Farmyard Beat

Lindsey Craig (Author)

Marc Brown (Illustrator)

Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections

Art Modality: Music

Summary:

“Chicks can’t sleep. Chicks can’t sleep. Chicks can’t sleep ’cause they got that beat!” The sounds of the farm animals create a lively beat that keeps Farmer Sue, the chicks, sheep, and other farm animals awake. (Summary from book.)

Materials:

Farmyard Beat

rhythm instruments

Lesson:

Peep! Peep! Peep-peep-peep! Early childhood teachers...Your little chicks might not be “reading” yet, but they are sure to get the beat of books with this fun farmyard chant. Here’s a reading lesson that will have your pre-readers making connections, predicting and making music. First, drag the box of rhythm instruments out of the back of your school’s supply closet. Kindergarten teachers, beg your music teacher to loan you a set. Next, have your kids help you match up the instruments you have with the animals in the story so each animal is represented by one instrument.

Here are some ideas:

animal	sound it makes	possible instrument
chick	Peep! Peep! Peep-peep-peep!	triangle
sheep	TAT! TAT! Tattity-  tat-tat!	rhythm sticks     or drum
cat	Puuuurrrr! Mee-ooow!	tambourine
cow	SWISH! CLANK! Swish-swish! Clank!	cymbals
dog	Woof! How-WOOOOO!	sound tube
owl	WHOOO?	sounder or    whistle

When your students are familiar with the rhythm and sequence of the text, have them join in by playing the appropriate instrument as each animal gets the beat. Pretty soon your class will be like the farmyard...you’ll all “fall in heap! Asleep!” Naptime!