Long and Short Sounds (Duration/Timing)

Warning: Your screen size is quite small for viewing this. Rotate your device into landscape mode if you can.

1 Introduction
2 Introduce the Variable: Duration
3 Physical Exploration of Long and Short
4 Introduce Visual Notation for Duration
5 Code a Simple Rhythm Score
6 Play the Conductor (The Programmer)
7 Partner Code with Visuals
8 Conclude and Connect to Scratch Jr.

1 - Introduction

2 - Introduce the Variable: Duration

Begin by explaining that not all sounds last the same amount of time. Introduce the concept of duration—how long a sound lasts. Demonstrate by making a very short, quick sound (like a snap) and a very long, drawn-out sound (like holding a clap). Ask students to try both.

3 - Physical Exploration of Long and Short

Ask students to physically demonstrate duration:

Have them hold a single, sustained sound (e.g., a long "Mmmmmm") until you drop your hand.
Have them make a quick, immediate sound (e.g., a short "Ah!"). Discuss how this changes the "command." A "Clap" command can now be a "Clap $\times$ Short" or a "Clap $\times$ Long."

4 - Introduce Visual Notation for Duration

Draw two clear symbols on the board: a dot ( $∙$ ) to represent a short sound, and a long line (---) to represent a long sound. Explain that these symbols are our new code for timing.

5 - Code a Simple Rhythm Score

Create a simple rhythm score on the board using the new symbols and the body percussion actions from Lesson 1. For example: Stomp (---), Clap ( $∙$ ), Stomp (---), Snap ( $∙$ ). Lead the students in "reading" and performing this score precisely.

Unlock the Full Learning Experience

Get ready to embark on an incredible learning journey! Get access to this lesson and hundreds more in our Digital Skills Curriculum.

Get started

Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of DigitalSkills.org 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Your Answer or Description of Your Work

Project URL This can be a link to your project (e.g. a Scratch, Microbit, Arcade or CodePen URL link).

Upload File

You must be logged into Scratch to share your project, otherwise the link will not work.

To get the URL link of your Scratch project:

Make sure you're logged into Scratch.
Click on the Share button in the project editor.
Click on the Copy Link button.
Click on the Copy Link link. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Microbit project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Arcade project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your CodePen project:

Make sure you're logged into CodePen.
Open your project in the editor.
Click on the Save button at the top of the editor.
Copy the link from the address bar in your web browser (e.g. https://codepen.io/Jane-Smith/pen/gOVXxBQ)

Long and Short Sounds (Duration/Timing)

Teacher Class Feed

1 - Introduction

Send your work to your teacher

2 - Introduce the Variable: Duration

Send your work to your teacher

3 - Physical Exploration of Long and Short

Send your work to your teacher

4 - Introduce Visual Notation for Duration

Send your work to your teacher

5 - Code a Simple Rhythm Score

Send your work to your teacher

Unlock the Full Learning Experience