I've Got a Rhythm

How does We’re Orff 2! work?


The units

In this resource there are 5 different units, suitable for preschool to lower primary classes. Each unit is it’s own entity and develops in its own way, in a step-by-step progression, but each unit follows the same Orff-Shulwerk Principles.

Each unit will take several weeks to work through. Progress at a pace that the class is comfortable with.


“I’ve Got a Rhythm”  is the first unit. You will find the other four units in the iBooks Store.


The activities

Each unit will work through a standard set of activities, in an order appropriate to its text. The activities will vary but will be drawn from the following:

Movement, Body percussion, Speech, Singing, Instruments

Instrument work will utilise both untuned and tuned percussion and involve Rhythm, Melody,

Ostinato, Bordun and/or Canon.

Each unit concludes with suggestions for drawing on the exploration and creative work done by the

students to create a performance (Putting it Together). 


The techniques

Within each of the activities, the following techniques are used: Imitation, Exploration, Improvisation/creating


Orff Shulwerk

Creative music and movement education


What is Orff Schulwerk?

Orff Schulwerk is an approach to music education. It was developed by German composer and music educator Carl Orff (1895-1982) and colleague Gunild Keetman (1904-1990).


How does it work?

The Orff approach integrates Speech, Singing, Movement and Instruments to teach the elements of music.

Students are immersed naturally, as in language-learning, into Hearing and Imitating, then Making Music, and, later, Reading and Writing music.

Techniques include Imitation (simultaneous imitating), Echo, Ostinato, Canon, Question & Answer.


Instruments and scale

The Orff approach uses percussion instruments specifically chosen or designed for children. Both untuned and tuned percussion instruments are utilised.

Untuned percussion: tambourines, tambours, claves (rhythm/tapping sticks), woodblocks, triangles, castanets, guiros, triangles etc.

Tuned percussion: xylophones, glockenspiels, metallophones etc.