Rhythm of Math: Teaching Mathematics with Body Music

A Rup Life received press to facilitate this post.

 Rhythm of Math: Teaching Mathematics with Body Music, a groundbreaking, kinesthetic approach to teaching math to grades 3-5 using an easy-to-learn rhythm technique, will be released on June 15th.

Rhythm of Math motivates kids to think mathematically while having fun. Students learn essential math concepts by using their hands, feet and voices in a creative rhythmic experience that engages them mentally and physically.

Developed by Oakland-based Body Musician and Guggenheim Fellow, Crosspulse Artistic Director Keith Terry, and veteran San Francisco elementary school teacher and math visionary Linda Akiyama, Rhythm of Math is an integrated music and mathematics program based on Keith's "Body Music Rhythm Blocks" technique. The Rhythm Blocks are easy to learn, even for teachers and students with little or no music experience. They have certain mathematical qualities that make them ideal for learning properties of natural numbers, and they provide flexible ways of conceiving of multiplication and fractions, division, ratios, proportions, and measurement.

Learn more and see sample pages HERE.

As a self-defined "Body Musician," Keith Terry uses the oldest musical instrument in the world -- the human body (his own) -- as the basis for exploring, blending and bending traditional and contemporary rhythmic, percussive and movement possibilities. Body Music uses clapping, stepping, and vocalizing to explore patterning and internalize rhythm.

In classroom-tested Rhythm of Math lessons, the enjoyment and challenge of playing and creating rhythms helps students learn mathematical concepts while experiencing the underlying structure of a wide range of musical patterns. Mathematics then becomes a creative tool that students use to compose their own rhythmic music. Exploring math concepts with rhythms engages the senses of touch, hearing, and sight as well as movement. Students feel and hear patterns as the number of beats are added, multiplied or divided.

Connect:

Check out the Crosspulse website HERE
and the Rhythm of Math page HERE.

Visit the International Body Music Festival on Facebook HERE and on the International Body Music Festival website HERE

See the International Body Music Festival on Youtube HERE .