Move to the Beat: Exploring Tempo

• New lesson editor
• Music
• Primary Education
• Age 5-8

Move to the Beat: Exploring Tempo

What do you already know about tempo and beat?

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify and respond to different tempos and beats in music.

What is Beat?

A beat is the steady pulse in music that you can tap or clap along to. It’s like the ‘heartbeat’ of a song.

What is Tempo?

Tempo tells us how fast or slow the beat moves in music. Songs can have a quick tempo or a slow tempo.

Sharing Our Ideas

Let’s write our ideas about beat and tempo on the board! What comes to mind when you think of these words?

Listening Activity

Listen to different songs with fast and slow tempos. Try tapping or clapping along with the beat.

Let’s Move to the Tempo!

March, clap, or play along to ‘Walking in the Jungle’. Respond to tempo changes as the music speeds up or slows down.

Reflect and Share

Which activity was easiest? Did you prefer fast or slow tempos?

Tempo makes music exciting and helps us move together. Can you think of a song with a fun tempo?

What did you notice?

Why does tempo matter?

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.