October 25, 2011

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!


4 comments:

  1. I LOVE this idea! I am subbing at the moment and mostly with K - 2 classes. I love being able to do something fun and musical with them for part of the literacy session, it engages them and really sets the tone for the rest of the day. I need to find a copy of this book!! Thanks so much for sharing:)

    Good Morning Mrs Rubie

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  2. Yeah! Thanks for the comment. JG

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved Dancing Feet, by the same author and illustrator, and have been meaning to read Barnyard Beat. Your activities sound like so much fun! I also wanted to let you know about something new I just found out about that I thought you might be interested in participating in. It's called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. You can check it out here: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2011/11/perfect-picture-book-fridays-begins.html

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  4. Thanks so much for comment! I love Susannah Hill's book Can't Sleep Without Sheep. Got an idea for Dancing Feet? Email me and I'll feature the book with your thoughts.
    Smiles, Jayne
    jaynestamp@cox.net

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