An activity to help students learn beginning notation by linking notes to words and syllables. Students can learn the processes of writing and playing accurate rhythmic patterns by using words to represent notes. This exercise will drive home the point that musical notes can be subdivided into smaller components.
Notation with Syllables
step 1
A quarter note ♩can be represented by the word PLUM or DRUM. Say the word while clapping out the syllables, invite students to repeat.
Write on the board for students to see:
♩ Quarter note = Plum or Drum
step 2
Two-eighths notes ♫ can be represented by the word APPLE or BANJO. Say the word while clapping out the syllables, invite students to repeat.
Write on the board for students to see:
♫ 2 Eighths note = Apple or Banjo
step 3
A four-sixteenth note 
can be represented by the word WATERMELON or FIRECRACKER. Say the word while clapping out the syllables.
Write on the board for students to see:
4 sixteenths note = Watermelon or Firecracker
step 4
Try combining notes by clapping out and saying the word BLUEBERRY. Have the students guess the combination of notes used in the word. Example: 1 eighth and 2 sixteenths = Blueberry
step 5
When placed in groups of 4-beats like this: ♩♩♫♩, the student would say, “Drum, Drum, Banjo, Drum. Once the students are comfortable with these words, invite them to come up with their own words with the right number of syllables to represent the notes.
extension
When you introduce the idea of rests then you can take away syllables.
