“You threw off my groove!”

 Topic: Rhythm

 Objective: After completing a handout/worksheet, the students will be able to read a line out loud with various rhythms.

 Materials: Handout/worksheet

 Steps:

1. Give the students the handout.  Have them read through it and do what it says.  It is okay for the students to talk when it says to talk.
2. The students must get the teacher’s initials on the worksheet in order to receive credit.  They must also actually do what the worksheet tells them to do in order to get the teacher’s initials.
   1. If you notice that the student is not following directions, do not sign the worksheet.  He or she must do the speaking part of the handout for the teacher. In order to get the handout initialed.

Results: For homework, the student needs to practice their speech out loud twice (in front of at least one person.  The student must bring in their practice log (complete with signatures) for a grade.

                      “You threw off my groove!”

Name                                                        Date                                       Teacher Initial                    

Everyone uses rhythm when they speak.  You are doing it right now as you read these directions.

Rhythm includes what words you stress, which ones you say fast or slow, and how you pause between thoughts or phrases.

When you read, there are certain markings that help influence your rhythm.  You may recognize some of them.

A comma (,) forces a breath or a pause.

A period (.) signifies the end of a thought.

A santed line (/) (usually used in poetry or lyrics) indicates the end of one phrase and the beginning of another.

All three of these make the reader or speaker pause or take a breath.  These pauses help create rhythm.  

How fast you say words creates rhythm. 

In a song, some words are held out longer than others and some words are said very quickly.  A rap has a different rhythm than a ballad.  But they both have rhythm.

Say the following phrase out loud:  “I have to clean my room.” 

How many different ways can you say it?  ________

(Try stressing different words each time you say it.)

            Try this phrase:  “Jack and Jill went up the hill”

            How many different ways can you say it? __________

There is another kind of rhythm. 

The rhythm of your speech is not just about how you say the words.

Have you ever heard someone say, “You threw off my groove!”  or “I was in the zone!”

The rhythm of your speech is like your “groove” or “zone.” If you forget parts of your speech or you are distracted in the middle of a sentence, the rhythm of your speech is thrown off.

The easiest way to avoid messing with your groove is to practice your speech more than once.  The more familiar you are with what you are saying, the less likely you are to throw off your groove.

Now, read through your speech twice.  Then practice it out loud at least twice before class tomorrow.

Practice Log

Name of Student ___________________________________

Carey Teters