Secret Square Rhythm Game

During the rhythm unit, I play a game with my students called “Secret Square”. I use twenty to twenty four cards with different rhythm patterns written on them. I place the rhythm patterns face down so students cannot see them and put a number on top of each piece of paper. I divide the class in groups and each group takes a turn to pick a number/square. Then, they have to, as a group, work on playing the pattern correctly with percussion instruments. Meanwhile the rest of the class is practicing the same pattern because if the first group cannot perform it correctly next group can steal it and get extra points and an extra turn. I select three to four different squares to be the secret squares and if students choose one of them they get an extra turn. I also write on the board a twenty or twenty four squares frame with the numbers corresponding to the rhythm cards. This game resembles the tic-tac-toe game. If students perform the rhythm pattern correctly, they get to put their "logo" on the square. When students claim four squares in a row, they win the game. Other teams can block them just like in tic-tac-toe.