Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? I am passionate about music and drama education and have taught in secondary schools in the UK and internationally for 25 years.
Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? I am passionate about music and drama education and have taught in secondary schools in the UK and internationally for 25 years.
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers (16th notes).
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 3 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - @Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 18 - 9/8 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 school music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 18 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th) and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 and KS4 music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th) and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 17 - 5/8 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 17 - 5/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th) and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 14 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers (8th), semiquavers (16th) and triplets.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 16 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 16 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th) and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 15 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 15 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 13 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 13 - 6/8 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 12 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 20 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 school music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers (16th), ties and rests.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Book 2 Teacher Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This booklet is full of great rhythm exercises to challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All 10 exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms
Worksheet 13 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers
Worksheet 15 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 16 - 3/4 time signature. Quaver rests and semiquavers
Worksheet 17 - 5/8 time signature. Irregular time signature
Worksheet 18 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, quaver and crothet rests
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Ties, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns, rests and ties.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing.This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 7 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 7 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers, quaver rests
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 5 - Rhythm Reading exercises for middle and high school music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 5 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 9 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 9 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers and rests
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 6 - Rhythm Reading exercises for middle and high school music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 6 - 9/8 time signature. Quaver rests
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 8 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 8 - 5/4 time signature. Irregular time signature
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 10 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 10 - 4/4 time signature.More complex rhythm patterns and ties
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 11 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 and KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Book 2 - Student book - Rhythm reading for middle and high music classes
After finding myself in a number of different classroom setting this year, I wanted to create a series of resources that could be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestra rooms. It comes as no surprise to us that students struggle with rhythm as a majority of our students focus most of their attention on pitch.
I have created a STUDENT FRIENDLY BOOK for printing that accompanies the teacher handbook which is also for sale on the site.
Each of the 10 worksheets comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms
Worksheet 13 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers
Worksheet 15 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 16 - 3/4 time signature. Quaver rests and semiquavers
Worksheet 17 - 5/8 time signature. Irregular time signature
Worksheet 18 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, quaver and crothet rests
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Ties, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns, rests and ties.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom or as homework practice tools.
Band Piece review worksheet for school music / band classes.
This 2 page worksheet was created to help students start to think about the band repertoire they practice in class in more detail.
On the first page are general music questions about the composer, genre of music and musical elements (tempo, etc). On the second page students are to answer simple self-reflection questions about the piece to encourage them to consider how to practice and improve their own performance. They need to identify challenging passages of rhythm and melody and then to consider how they can practice these outside of the classroom.
This is an editable 2 page worksheet. It can be used as a homework task, classroom activity or for a sub lesson.