8 ‘Shockingly Easy’ Steps To Introduce The Half Rest
See below for a Free Printable Pack to go with the post.
Even though most parents think that teaching music in the homeschool is hard, it really isn’t if you have the correct tools and guidance needed.
So today I’m going to give you the necessary tools and also explain the exact steps you can use to easily introduce the Half Rest to your kids.
So what are Half Rests? They are similar in value to Half Notes, but no note is played.
They basically extend the silence by two beats.
If you haven’t already introduced the Half Note, do that first, you can find the steps, flashcard and printable in the post 6 ‘Super Easy’ Steps To Teach Half Notes.
And here’s how you can introduce the Half Rest to your kids in the homeschool.
Show The Note And The Rest
That’s all there is to this step.
Show them the flashcard of the note and the rest side by side.
Tell them that the Half Rest (point to it) is similar to the Half Note and consists of 2 beats.
Explain The Difference
Don’t forget to explain the difference.
With a Half Note, we actually play a note, but with a Half Rest we don’t play a note, rather, there is silence for 2 beats, wherever there is a Half Rest.
Ask Them Both Names
Yes, ask them to tell you the alternate name for the Half Rest.
Since they know that the Half Note is called a Minim, it is very likely that they will make the connection and tell you that the alternate name for the Half Rest is a Minim Rest.
Clapping
Now comes the interesting part. Ask them to clap the Minim Rest.
Remember, a Minim Rest means there is silence for 2 beats, so there is no clapping only counting two beats.
Understanding The Half Rest
To make the previous step less confusing, you draw or show a Whole/Half or Quarter Note before the Half Rest. Then ask them to clap.
So, they should clap for the specific note you drew, then count the correct number of beats for that note, and finally count 2 more beats to signify the Half Rest.
On The Keyboard
Repeat the above step on the keyboard.
Have them play the note first and count the corresponding number of beats and then count an additional 2 beats to signify the Half Rest.
Writing The Whole Rest
Now teach them how to correctly write the Half Rest.
It sits from the third line within the third space.
Please use the printable I have included for this exercise.
Identifying The Half Rest
Finally it is time to look at different sheets of music and identify the Half Rests.
Again you can use the printable I have included for this post.
Aren’t these steps just shockingly easy to follow?
I promised you, it would be, didn’t I?
So what are you waiting for?
Grab the printable and the flashcard and go get started.
Karen Cadera
Founder/Creator
Mom, Teacher, Minimalist, Zero Waste Enthusiast, Multi Pod.
My daughter loved the games, but there were also worksheets and videos. The weekly lesson plans were complete, and I never questioned what I should be doing next.
This program reminded me (and allowed me to teach my son) how to read music. To me, that was the most important thing that we learned together. Of course, it was very rewarding for me to watch my son play the piano with both hands at the same time, while reading sheet music. His favorite parts of the course were actually playing the songs and doing the worksheets provided.
Download the FREE Music Theory Worksheet
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