After creating an Advanced Boomwhacker Play-Along and a Diatonic Boomwhacker Play-Along, it was time to create a rhythm play-along to Dua Lips, “Dance the Night” (Radio Version). "Dance the Night" is a song by English and Albanian singer Dua Lipa from Barbie: The Album, the soundtrack of the film Barbie (2023). Songwriter(s): Dua Lip, Andrew Wyatt, Caroline Ailin, and Mark Ronson. Producer(s): Andrew Wyatt, Mark Ronson, and Picard Brothers.

Manipulatives

This version is relatively basic because it has ostinato rhythm patterns. It does add some hints of challenges with the quarter rests falling on beat one and the patterns are usually eight beats long with the exception of a 2/4 measure being thrown in at times.

There is a dance party in the middle of the song with a floating disco ball to add some fun.

You can download the manipulatives with the video here.

Teaching the Manipulatives

I usually begin with a movement game to reinforce the values of the quarter note, half note, eighth notes, and quarter rest. I then would launch the manipulatives and review the rhythm patterns with students reading and performing them for the class individually or as a group. I would then have the students watch the video. After that, they can perform using body percussion with the video. Finally, I would give them classroom instruments (rhythm sticks, egg shakers, possibly drums, etc) to perform along with the video.

Rhythm Play-Along to Dua Lips - Dance the Night (Radio Version)

Try out this rhythm play-along with your elementary students today!