Gan Aleph Turns the Beat Around!

Gan Aleph discussed the patterns that Native Americans used in regard to music. We used a big drum to practice different rhythms and beats and listened to how the drum sounds can repeat themselves to create a pattern. We used the drums to listen to the different beats in the children's names and discussed how words have a rhythm: syllables!

We brainstormed Thanksgiving words (Mayflower, pie, turkey etc.) and sorted them onto a chart based on the amount of syllables that were in each word. We even found a 5 syllable word...cornucopia! The children were presented with a syllable suitcase in which they had to unpack different items into the correct syllable drawer. After working collaboratively to complete this task, the children worked independently to sort pictures onto a "clap and chart" paper. This activity truly helped Gan Aleph feel the rhythm of Thanksgiving!