Aretha’s Rhythm Stick Routine & Read Aloud
Suggested Grades: K-4
National Core Arts Standards
#4 – Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation #7 – Perceive and analyze artistic work. #8 – Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work #10 – Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
Objectives
Describe and discuss respect
Analyze form of the song Respect by Aretha Franklin
Perform a stick routine to the song Respect by Aretha Franklin
Materials
Recording: Respect by Aretha Franklin
Book: R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
Rhythm Sticks
Overview
A picture book, a stick routine, and a mini-lesson about the Queen of Soul. This rhythm stick lesson is packed full of interesting and interactive activities.
Suggested Teaching Process
Introduction
Ask students to define the word RESPECT.
Choose students to answer.
Define: Respect is caring about how our words and actions affect others.
Give examples and ask students to share their ideas.
Listening when others speak.
Waiting for our turn.
Saying thank you.
Introduce students to Aretha Franklin.
Aretha Franklin was an American Singer, Songwriter, Actress, and Civil Rights, Activist.
She was the FIRST woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush.
Aretha is best known for singing SOUL and was so talented that she became known as The Queen of Soul.
Soul music is an African American style of music that combines gospel music with R&B.
R&B stands for Rhythm and Blues.
Aretha’s number one hit record was the song R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Choreography
Label the Form
Teach stick routine
Introduction
First – 8-count: March to the beat
Second – 8-count: Step-touch (1 2) Step-touch (3 4) Step-touch (5 6) Step-touch (7 8)
Click sticks together on the second beat, when feet touch
Verse
Three sets of 8-counts
Facing front:
Click sticks down twice to the beat (1 2)
Click sticks up twice to the beat (3 4)
Jump to the side:
Click sticks down twice to the beat (5 6)
Click sticks up twice to the beat (7 8)
Jump to the back:
Click sticks down twice to the beat (1 2)
Click sticks up twice to the beat (3 4).
Jump to the other side:
Click sticks down twice to the beat (5 6)
Click sticks up twice to the beat (7 8)
Chorus
Two sets of 8-counts
Beat 1 – Step Right, raise the right stick
Beat 2 – Step left, raise the left stick
Beat 3 – Step back, lower right stick
Beat 4 – Step back, lower left stick
Beats 5 – 8: Click sticks up and stomp one foot to the beat.
Repeat
Instrumental Break You’ll know it’s time for this part when you hear the saxophone solo.
Four sets of 8-counts:
Facing front:
Grapevine to the right (1 2 3) click sticks (4)
Grapevine to the Left (5 6 7) click sticks and turn to Left – side (8)
Left Facing:
Grapevine to the right (1 2 3) click sticks (4)
Grapevine to the Left (5 6 7) click sticks and turn to Back (8)
Facing back:
Grapevine to the right (1 2 3) click sticks (4)
Grapevine to the Left (5 6 7) click sticks and turn to Right – side (8)
Right Facing:
Grapevine to the right (1 2 3) click sticks (4)
Grapevine to the Left (5 6 7) click sticks and turn to Front (8)
RESPECT This section begins when Aretha spells out R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Two sets of 8-counts:
With still feet, click sticks to the rhythm of R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Beats 5-8
click sticks up
side
down
other side – creating a diamond shape.
Repeat the whole sequence a second time
Two sets of 8-counts:
Facing front:
Grapevine to the right while rolling arms – 3 beats
Click sticks together on beat four
Grapevine to the Left while rolling arms – 3 beats
Click sticks together on beat eight and simultaneously turn to the side.
Repeat the whole sequence a second time
Two sets of 8-counts:
8-count: Step-touch (1 2) Step-touch (3 4) Step-touch (5 6) Step-touch (7 8)
Click sticks together on the second beat, when feet touch
Repeat the whole sequence a second time
Two sets of 8 counts:
Facing front:
Grapevine to the right while rolling arms – 3 beats
Click sticks together on beat four
Grapevine to the Left while rolling arms – 3 beats
Click sticks together on beat eight and simultaneously turn to the side.
Repeat the whole sequence a second time
THE END!
Practice the complete routine
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
Read the book
Perform the stick routine with the story and the recording
Read pages 1 – 6
Perform Intro, Verse 1, and Chorus
Read pages 7 – 14
Perform Intro, Verse ,2 and Chorus
Read pages 15 – 20
Perform Instrumental Break
Read pages 21 – 34
Reflection
Ask students what they noticed about the story
Review the concept of respect
Ask students if there are any additional ideas they want to add to the list about showing respect.
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Contributor
Natassia Perrine is an elementary music teacher in New Orleans serving Prek – 4th grade students. While this is her 4th year in the elementary music world, it’s her 10th year in music education. Natassia previously taught high school choir and…
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