Rhythm of Math

Hear, see, and feel mathematics!

Rhythm of Math is a kinesthetic approach to math for grades 3 - 5. This math teaching unit was created by body musician and Guggenheim Fellow Keith Terry and elementary school teacher Linda Akiyama. It is based on the Body Music system Mr. Terry has been developing since 1978.

In Rhythm of Math, students learn essential math concepts - addition, multiplication, division, and fractions - by using their hands, feet and voice in a creative rhythmic experience that engages them mentally and physically. Detailed lesson plans connect rhythmic patterns to mathematics. The lessons contain support material and reproducible student activity pages. Lesson objectives address Common Core Mathematics Standards. Lessons are divided into rhythm activities, mathematics activities, and composition and math application activities. An instructional DVD shows how to play and teach all rhythms.

The "Student Journal" section has two reproducible pages for each lesson. On one page, students are asked to reason mathematically while applying concepts introduced in the lesson. The other page is to be used for creating rhythms using their math knowledge.

"Going Further" pages provide challenging problem-solving activities for upper elementary students.

"Lesson Support" pages contain charts, warm ups, techniques, games, and extension activities to support the lessons.

Contents:

• Lesson 1: Rhythm Blocks and Math
• Lesson 2: Whole Number Properties and Rhythmic Variations
• Lesson 3: Create a Rhythmic Composition with Multiplication
• Lesson 4: Polymeters and Multiplication
• Lesson 5: Explore Division with Twelve Beat Rhythms
• Lesson 6: Fractions and the Rhythmic Unit
• Lesson 7: Rhythm and the Associative Property of Addition
• Lesson 8: Rhythms to Share
• Rhythm of Math Student Journal
• Going Further Activities
• Lesson Support
• Rhythm Glossary