Amy M. Burns

Elementary Music Technology and Integration

Amy M. Burns has taught PreK-grade 4 general music for over 25 years at Far Hills Country Day School (FH) (https://www.fhcds.org/). She also teaches grade 5 instrument class, directs the FH Philharmonic, is the Performing Arts Department Manager, and teaches privately in the after-school conservatory after being the director for over 20 years. She has authored four books and numerous articles on how to integrate tech into the elementary music classroom. She has presented many sessions on the topic, including four keynote addresses in TX, IN, St. Maarten, and AU. She is the recipient of the 2005 Technology in Music Education (TI:ME) Teacher of the Year, the 2016 New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Master Music Teacher, the 2016 Governor’s Leader in Arts Education, and the 2017 NJ Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Awards. Her most recent publication, Using Technology with Elementary Music Approaches (2020), published by Oxford University Press (OUP) is available from OUP and Amazon. Burns is also the Community Coordinator for Midnight Music (MMC) at https://midnightmusic.com/, the General Music Chair for NJMEA Board of Directors, and the Elementary Music Consultant for MusicFirst (https://www.musicfirst.com/), a company built by music educators for music educators, dedicated to helping music teachers and their students make the most of technology in the classroom.

Ten Tech Tips #techtip Countdown to 2025: #8 Rhythm Games

December 25, 2024  /  Amy M. Burns

Happy Holidays! As we count down to 2025, it's time to dive into Tip #8 of our Ten Tech Tips Countdown: Rhythm Games! This tip is all about engaging your students with interactive, customizable tools to make rhythm practice fun and meaningful. Let’s get started!

🎲 Interactive Rhythm Dice with 4four.io

Looking for a simple yet effective way to integrate rhythm games into your classroom? Check out 4Four.io's Rhythm Dice: https://4four.io/rhythm/dice.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Choose Settings to Customize Your Dice! Decide on the number of dice, the rhythms you want, and other features.

  2. Click OK! Your customized rhythm dice are ready to roll.

  3. Game On! Use the dice to challenge students to clap, tap, or play the rhythms in a game-like format.

Want to share your dice with students? It’s easy!

  • Place the link on your Learning Management System (LMS) for them to access anytime.

  • Embed the tool into your music classroom website for quick access.

Bonus: 4Four.io has a plethora of other music games to explore. Dive into their offerings here: https://4four.io/.

🎵 Rhythm Randomizer: Your Versatile Rhythm Tool

Another fantastic resource is Rhythm Randomizer: https://www.rhythmrandomizer.com/. This tool is perfect for sightreading practice and creating rhythm manipulatives. Here’s how to maximize its potential:

  1. Customize Your Rhythm Patterns:

    • Click on the settings tool to adjust playback preferences.

    • Choose the number of measures, time signature, and note values to suit your students’ needs.

  2. Use It in Class:

    • Project a rhythm pattern for whole-class sightreading.

    • Set up a self-assessment station where students can clap or play the rhythms individually.

  3. Capture and Share:

    • Take a screenshot of a rhythm pattern to print as manipulatives or flashcards.

    • Copy the link and share it on your LMS for students to practice at home or at a classroom station.

Why Rhythm Tools Rock 🎸

Rhythm tools like these aren’t just for fun (though they’re certainly that!). They’re invaluable for:

  • Building sightreading skills

  • Encouraging creativity through composition

  • Enhancing assessment opportunities

  • Engaging students of all levels

  • Plus, these tools save you prep time while offering endless customization options!

So, why not give these rhythm games a try? Whether you’re looking to energize your classroom with interactive rhythm dice or provide quick sightreading practice with Rhythm Randomizer, these tools are guaranteed to make rhythm practice a hit. Start the countdown to 2025 with a rhythmic bang!

Come back tomorrow for tip #7!

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