Rhythm Band

This activity works well for songs that have 4 lines in a verse. I picked 4 different instruments and placed them in 4 corners of the room. For example,

1 - rhythm sticks

2 - egg shakers

3 - paper plates

4 - tambourines

Separate the children into fours groups and assign each group a corner to join.

Starting with the first group - ask the children to click the sticks together 4 times in a row to a beat. Then, ask the second group to shake their egg shakers 4 times to the beat. Have the third group practice swishing their paper plates together 4 times. Then have the fourth group tap their tambourine on the palm of their hand 4 times to the beat.

Now, combine the 4 parts, consecutively, by pointing to the first group to do 4 beats, then the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Once the children are ready with their instrument parts, we can add the words. Each group will only sing the words while it is their turn to play the instrument.

Conduct the 4 parts consecutively while singing the words. Then ask all of the children to put down their instruments, rotate to the next corner of the room and pick up a new instrument. Repeat the song again while conducting the groups. Keep rotating positions and singing the song until everyone has had a chance to play all 4 instruments and sing all 4 lines.