This works best with two teams, but you can do it in pairs, too. One person, or team claps a basic beat. These are the "clappers." The other team claps in the rests, or gap. These are the "gappers." For example, if person one is clapping "ONE, two, three, ONE, two, three," person two may clap on the "and" in between two and three. If playing in teams, each member of team two takes turns to clap in the gap. Each team or person starts off with 20 points. Each time a member of team two claps at the same time as team one, team two loses five points. When team two is out of points, the teams swap roles. The team who stays in for the longest as "gappers" wins. This game improves timing and fosters an understanding of the "off-beat."
This works in teams or pairs. Team one takes its turn to clap a rhythm, team two claps a response to that rhythm in ensemble. Then another member of team one claps a new rhythm and team two claps a response. When the first team has had a turn doing the call, team two takes over as the callers. This game encourages rhythmical creativity.
One person is the speaker, the rest are clappers. The speaker picks a selection of topical words or names and shouts them out. The clappers respond by clapping the syllables of the name back. For example, the speaker shouts "Barack Obama" and clappers respond by clapping the syllables and stresses in that name. This game develops an understanding of stress and accent. For example, while "Justin Bieber" "Tina Turner" and "Lady Gaga" may both contain four syllables, the stresses are in different places.
Notate a basic rhythm so that the other players can see it. Play the rhythm either by clapping or using a drum, but throw in a deliberate mistake. The other players follow the notation and raise their hand when you mess up. The first to raise their hand gets to play the correct rhythm to the whole class. This game develops rhythmical sight reading skills.