[HANASHIR:14555] Re: requests

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

It never hurts to also tell the kids that "those who are singing the
most 'musically' and are participating fully will be the ones that will
be chosen to play percussion!"  Of course it's also a great age to let
kids know that "we don't always get what we want," and sometimes we may
not get a turn.  But that's life too!   Don't hand out too many!   Then
again there's the "instrument passing game" which kids love. (I usually
only do this for songs that they know well - not when they're learning
something new). Teaches them about phrasing too!   Play 8 measures (On
the beat, 1st quarter note of the measure, or whatever you want to set
up) then switch (hand instrument to person on your left). Initially,
you hand instruments out very carefully; say you give it to girl #1 then
skip 3 kids and hand it to person #5; skip 3 kids, etc..   When you say
"pass," they hand their instrument to the person on their right /left,
whatever YOU set up.   I have kids as young as kindergartners who can do
this in a circle, in rows, whatever.  It's fun!  It's also great when
you can tell their teachers how cooperative they were!   Usually
everyone gets a chance to play something that way.
Meris Ruzow
 
Meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
 
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Moss5533 (at) aol(dot)com
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 9:36 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:14542] Re: requests
 
In a message dated 6/10/2003 1:53:33 AM Central Standard Time,
Batiya5723 (at) cs(dot)com writes:



I want to incorporate rhythm instruments into my work with the younger
kids (graders K-1-2), but don't have enough for groups of so many at
once.


One of the things I do is give creativity workshops for parents,
educators and kids including making puppets out of recycled items and
have included musical instruments. You or the kids can make their own
rhythm instruments.  Two paper/plastic cups taped together with candy or
beans inside - Empty water bottles (the kind with ribbing) and a pencil
or chopstick make a great guiro  -  The bottoms of plastic measuring
cups banged together (metal ones make an even better sound but are
pretty loud) - Metal kitchen tongs - A cheese grater and whisk (my
personal favorite) - and of course, an oatmeal carton and stick or spoon
or a coffee can for volume.  Judy Caplan Ginsburgh told me she bought up
all the leftover plastic Easter eggs and filled them with rice for egg
shakers.  Use your imagination - there are endless possibilities.  Or -
better yet, have the kids come up with ideas.  There are also a few
ideas in "The Jewish Kids Catalog" if you have it.

Good luck and have fun!
B'shalom,
Fran Moss