For many people, singing is the most natural way to PERFORM music. Sadly, not all people will participate in singing activities for a variety of reasons; shy, self-conscious to name a few. Some children are no different.
There are many skills required in learning to sing a new song especially for young children who are just beginning to learn to read words. Not only do they need to remember the words, there is the understanding of the words, pronouncing the words and remembering how the Melody goes. This is a lot for our younger school aged children.
Classroom Rhythm Instruments give INSTANT SUCCESS and confidence. The Rhythm Games and Activities are EASY. For me, there is always full participation and the students are CREATING music without really trying!
Here is a Classroom Rhythm Instrument Activity from my "Piggyback Song Activities for Rhythm Band and Boomwhackers Pack 1 PreK-1"
“WHERE IS MY BAND?” (Where Is Thumpkin?)
Abbreviated Version
1.
Where are the DRUMS?
Where are the drums?
Here we are.
Here we are.
Listen to our drums.
Listen to our drums.
Ta-Ta-Ta-(pause) or 1-2-3-(pause)
Ta-Ta-Ta-(pause) or 1-2-3-(pause)
2. Where
are the CYMBALS?
3. Where
are the RHYTHM STICKS?
4. Where
are the TAMBOURINES?
5. Where
are the SAND BLOCKS?
6. Where
are the TRIANGLES?
7. Where
are the MARACAS/SHAKERS?
8. Where
are the JINGLE BELLS?
9. Where
is my BAND?
Where is my band?
Here we are.
Here we are.
Listen to us play.
Listen to us play.
Ta-Ta-Ta-(pause) or 1-2-3-(pause)
Ta-Ta-Ta-(pause) or 1-2-3-(pause)
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS
Hand Drums
Bongos
Maracas
Shakers
Triangles
Triangles
Tambourines
Claves
Tone Blocks
Woodblocks
Jingle Bells (Wrist)
Rhythm Sticks
Sand Paper Blocks
Small / Finger Cymbals
Cowbell
In my October 19, 2015 Post "You Got Rhythm", I talked about some playing techniques for the Cowbell and Claves. Today "Let's EXPLORE the JINGLE BELLS"
- SHAKER INSTRUMENT: makes its sound by the rattling of small metal objects inside a larger metal object.
- SOUND is Bright and Sharp
- STYLES: Bells on Bracelets (plastic or Velcro) {if your bracelets are Velcro let the children have a minute to pull them off and reattach them again, to get it out of their system!}, Attached to a Wooden Handle, you can CREATE your own bracelet by weaving a Pipe Cleaner through the Jingle Bells.
- WEAR the Jingle Bell bracelets on wrists or ankles
- Hold the Bells in your hand
- Slide a bracelet around a Plastic Drinking Cup
- When first introducing the Jingle Bells, talk to your students about what it is made of and compare it to other Rhythm Instruments they have played.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
- What are RHYTHM STICKS made out of? [wood]
- What are MARACAS made out of? [wood, beans, plastic, beads, rice]
- How do JINGLE BELLS make their sound? [shake them]
- How do RHYTHM STICKS make their sound? [tap, scrape]
- What else is made out of metal?
♫Pass the bracelet around and allow each student to shake it and look it over♫
DIFFERENT WAYS TO PLAY JINGLE BELLS
- SHAKE it Up and Down
- SHAKE it from Side to Side
- Make a Circle in the air
- TAP them Gently in the Palm of the other hand
- SHAKE behind Back
- RUB them on your Tummy
Easy Listening Game: "BELL or __________ ?"
- Choose another Rhythm Instrument to pair with the BELL
- Have class sit in a circle
- 1 by 1 have a student sit with their back to the group and close their eyes
- You play either the BELL or the other RHYTHM INSTRUMENT for a few seconds
- Ask the student which Instrument they heard
- Put on some MUSIC with a Moderately Fast Beat
- Have students COPY your Different Playing Motions
BELLS FREEZE DANCE
- Have students attach the BELLS around their WRISTS or ANKLES
- Play some fun DANCE MUSIC
- Everyone DANCES until the music STOPS
- When the MUSIC STOPS, the children "FREEZE" like statues
♫The BELLS make it more of a challenge♫
I combined the JINGLE BELLS and PLASTIC DRINKING CUPS to help improve my students RHYTHM skills while CONNECTING the SEASON by CREATING Music with Traditional and Non-Traditional CLASSROOM RHYTHM INSTRUMENTS.
I slid a WRIST JINGLE BELL bracelet around the OUTSIDE of a PLASTIC DRINKING CUP (as pictured above) and created new original RHYTHMIC PERCUSSIVE ARRANGEMENTS to "Play Along with" the original artists of "Dominic The Donkey", "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer".
Click on the link above to see the product and download a preview
- READ Verse 1 of "Jingle Bells", one sentence at a time, asking the corresponding question/s immediately AFTER reading the sentence.
QUESTIONS:
- What are we dashing through? [snow]
- What color is snow? [white]
- What are we dashing through the snow in? [sleigh]
- What animal is pulling the sleigh? [horse]
- How many horses are pulling the sleigh? [1]
- What are we going over in the sleigh? [fields]
- What colors are the fields before the snow? [green/yellow/etc..]
- Are we laughing or crying "all the way"? [laughing]
- What is the name of the horse? [Bob]
- What are on Bob's tail? [bells]
2. Sing "JINGLE BELLS"! (Have students play their bells along with the chorus)
Karaoke Version no lead singer, just instrumental
for all you do!
Have a Great Day and remember to take time for yourself EVERYDAY!
Donna Marie & Mary
