The Wee Little Scare: Jump Rope Contest | Free Music Lesson Plan

Big Idea

Turn a playground activity into an unforgettable learning experience! The Wee Little Scare uses a jump rope contest and Orff instruments to help students master steady beat. It's a no-prep music lesson plan that will make your class the best part of their day!

Grade Level: 2-3
Activity: Jump Rope Game & Hands-On Music Making
Skill: Steady Beat, Singing, Orff Instrument Performance

Students learn to keep a steady beat by singing, performing on xylophones and metallophones, and by participating in a jump rope contest.

This lesson is designed to fulfill the National Standards for Music:
Perform expressively, with appropriate interpretation and technical accuracy. (Performing - MU:Pr6.1.2a)

The Wee Little Scare Counting Book (Premium)
Long Jump Rope
Orff Xylophones & Metallophones
Temple Blocks

Music Lesson Plan

The Wee Little Scare Music Lesson Activity

Step 1
Start with a story! Tell your students, "I have a story to share with you today. It’s called The Wee Little Scare." Read the story aloud to capture their imagination.

Step 2
Hook them with the contest! Tell the class, "We’re going to have a jump rope contest right here in music class today, and the winner will receive a prize! But before we start jumping, we have a few things to learn."

Step 3
Explain that the story is also a song. Teach the melody to the students phrase by phrase. Keep practicing until they can sing the whole song confidently.

Step 4
Let's add an instrumental part to our song. Let's get in a circle, and I'll pass out the xylophones, metallophones, and temple blocks. Teach the Orff arrangement, making sure every student has a chance to participate.

Step 5
"It's time for the jump rope contest!" Tell students, "The most important thing I want you to learn today is how to keep a steady beat. This contest is your chance to show off that skill." Choose the first jumper and begin spinning the rope while the rest of the class sings and plays. Once the jumper starts, continue the counting portion of the chant for as many jumps as they can successfully complete.

Step 6
Start the contest. Give each student one chance to jump. The student who maintains the steady beat and completes the most jumps wins the prize!