Super Secret Rhythmic Agents

This is a fun way to rhythmic dictation, and I am sure it can be used for melodic dictation as well. I use it as a pretest, when I first meet a class, to evaluate where they fall rhythmically. If you have any suggestions, ideas, modifications, please share!!!!!

I start of the class with presenting top secret envelopes. The envelopes are your typical everyday manila envelopes (About 10), with a label that I printed off of the Internet that says top secret. (Inside the envelopes are rhythms, four beats in length. They contain rhythms that the specific set of students should be working on.) I explain to the class that some very valuable item has been stolen, for my particular school I said the stuffed animal mascot of a cougar found in the office. The villain was caught putting the said item in a large safe. To open the safe, we have to decipher a series of codes. I will clap the series of codes, and you will need to write the correct rhythm. I typically clap the rhythm two times.

I know what you are thinking, this is a bit much. But it has worked successfully on 2nd graders, 5th graders, and even 7th graders. I believe the key is to sell it from the start. I play the James Bond theme song as they walk in, accompanied with some sweet shades.

The students form groups and each has a particular job, as listed below. I tell the students I will play

I display these rules on the White Board:

1. Form a team of three students.
1. Assign one person as the:
1. Encryption Specialist
2. Head of Operations
3. Human Bug

Once they have decided who is who, I explain the jobs. These jobs are rotational, and every student must take turns with each job.

1. The Encryption specialist
1. Is in charge of writing the first draft of the secret rhythm. 
1. They must obtain the essential materials from Mr. M at the beginning of the game
1. I hand them a white board (see my post about cheap white boards!!)
2. An expo marker
3. An eraser (socks I couldn't find the match for)
2. The Head of Operations
1. Is in charge of editing the first draft.
3. The Human Bug
1. Must attempt to memorize the pattern and repeat it to their teammates.

I clap the rhythm for them a couple times, and have them show their boards to me. I circle rhythmic problems that occur consistently and make note of what we need to work on. I record the scores of the students and the teams, and have them form the same teams later in the school year. This seems to be a favorite activity of the students!

I also have used a smart board to play this game. If you would like a copy of the smart board file, send me an email and I can share it via Google! I somehow maneuvered the envelopes to reveal the secret code when I touch it!