Entry Kentry | Free Steady Beat Passing Game Music Lesson Plan

Big Idea

Entry Kentry is an irresistible passing game and a great way to drill steady beat. It's also an elimination game, but even the kids who are "out" stay involved as members of "the band." Your students will love this free, no-prep music lesson plan!

Grade Level: 2-4
Activity: Passing Game
Skill: Steady Beat

Students will demonstrate an understanding of steady beat as they participate in this passing game.

This lesson is designed to fulfill the 2014 National Standard for Music:
Performing (MU:Pr6.1) - Perform expressively, with appropriate interpretation and technical accuracy, and in a manner appropriate to the audience and context.

Entry Kentry | Free Sheet Music (Lead Sheet)
Large Plastic Cup or Bean Bag
Tubanos, Hand Drums and/or Rhythm Sticks

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Teach the lyrics to Entry Kentry phrase by phrase. Tapping your knee on the first beat of every measure during this step will help your students prepare for the game.

Step 2
Learn the melody to Entry Kentry. Ask the students to perform the song phrase by phrase as you play the melody on the piano. When your students have learned the first phrase, move on to the next phrase. When the students seem confident, ask them to sing the song all the way through with you at the piano.

Step 3
Teach the students how to pass the plastic cup (or bean bag). Ask the students to sit in a circle. Ask them to draw a big McDonald's 'M' in the air. Tell them, "This is the way you should pass the cup. Pick it up, and set it down in the shape of the Golden Arches."

Step 4
Practice passing the cup once every whole note (once per measure). Ask the students to keep the beat on their knees when they're not passing the cup. When they’ve got the hang of it, add the music and let the game begin!

Game Instructions

Students pass the cup around the circle while singing the song. When the music ends, the student holding the cup is "out." But instead of sitting on the sidelines, they join "the band." Ask them to grab a drum or rhythm sticks so they can keep practicing their steady beat as a music-maker until the very end! The last student remaining is the winner.