Aretha’s Rhythm Stick Routine & Read Aloud

• Natassia Perrine
• Posted 6/28/21
• 0 comments

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  

1. Ask students to define the word RESPECT.  
2. Choose students to answer. 
3. Define: Respect is caring about how our words and actions affect others. 
4. Give examples and ask students to share their ideas.
   • Listening when others speak. 
   • Waiting for our turn. 
   • Saying thank you.  
5. 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

1. Label the Form  
2. 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
    • Perform RESPECT & Ending 

Reflection

1. Ask students what they noticed about the story 
2. Review the concept of respect 
3. Ask students if there are any additional ideas they want to add to the list about showing respect. 

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