Blog Posts

Fall Rhythms Assessment

Denise Gagne

The students have been back in class for a few months now, and I'm sure you've been reviewing the rhythms that the students have learned. This activity can be used as an assessment or simply as a class activity.

I've been teaching the Fall Leaves song from Primary Songs and Dances to my preK-2 classes. We get out the scarves and move the scarves like "leaves."

Primary Dances and Singing Games is a really useful and versatile collection of dances and movement activities for PreK - Gr. 3. There are 27 selections that are tons of fun for your students, and that teach many musical concepts.

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PRIMARY DANCES AND SINGING GAMES DOWNLOAD

Screen Shot 2023-06-02 at 10.17.39 AM 1. Copy Me!
2. Jig Jig Jiggles
3. Fall leaves
4. Follow Me
5. Kinder Boogie
6. Mulberry Bush
7. Duck Dance
8. Jump Jim Joe
9. Sleepy Bunnies
10. Trot Old Joe
11. Tap it Here
12. Bim Bam
13. Teddy Bear Hoedown
14. Dinosaur Movement
15. Dinosaur Rock and Roll

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16. Clap your Hands
17. Hunt the Cows
18. Ants Go Marching
19. What will we do today?
20. Danish Dance of Greeting
21. La Raspa
22. Kinderpolka
23. I Can Pretend
24. Halloween Looby Loo
25. Jingle Bells Dance
26. Shake my Ribbons
27. Come and Sail

I've also done a movement / listening activity to one part of "Autumn" from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi. This link will take you to the movement that I used on

YouTube. AUTUMN

When Dad is watching, you rake the leaves. Use these words.

Rake the leaves up! Rake the leaves up!
Rake the leaves - hard work!

Rake the leaves up! Rake the leaves up!
Rake the leaves! Rake the leaves up! Rake!

On the contrasting sections, pretend Dad isn't looking and you toss the leaves into the air instead of raking. Alternate between raking and tossing the leaves.

I usually stop the music before we get to the very end as the movement is a bit too long, but kids (and parents in Family music class today!) have really enjoyed it.