Rhythm Cards

I love being able to review rhythms with my students off of the piano.  If a student is struggling with a rhythm or learning a new one I often break out an instrument (usually a boom whacker) for myself and for my student and we work through the rhythm together.  Once they have learned the rhythm then we add the notes on the piano.  Using an instrument makes it fun especially when they are frustrated and then they don't have to worry about which notes to play.

I also like to pull out rhythm cards for the students if I have a few minutes left over...these are great because you can do 2 of the cards or use all of them depending on the time left.  I have a few different sets that I use...

I printed each set on a different color of paper and store them all together in a large ziplock (all of set 1 are yellow, all of set two are green just to make it easy to keep them together).  I did not use cardstock and since I flip through them instead of the students and they have help up fine.

Layton Music:

https://laytonmusic.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/rhythm-flashcards/

I just discovered these from Susan Paradis and really like the more advanced rhythms!

http://www.susanparadis.com/color-coded-rhythm-pattern-cards/

There are lots of different instruments you can use...we use the boomwhackers a lot.  You could also use a woodblock, jingle bells, castanets and egg shakers, my students love all of them!!.  You could use all of the different instruments at a group theory party and have a lot of fun!