Links to Instruction Sheets

Wow, hard to believe it's been over 2 months since I started this assignment. I've had a lot of fun learning about musical instruments and ways to use them in the classroom, and I'm excited to use these crafts with my future students. Here's a list of quick links to find the instruments, click on the pictures to link directly to the instructions:

Rainstick:

Rhythm Sticks:

Drums:

Maracas:



Fruit Shaker:

Instructions for Drums

Drums

(Set up: 5 minutes, Duration: 20 minutes)

What is a drum?

A percussion instrument great for teaching students how to recognize and keep a steady beat.

You will need:

• A clean cylindrical container
• Electrical or masking tape
• Pencil (or 4 kebab sticks)
• Newspaper
• Construction paper cut to the size of the container
• Decorative tools (paints, stickers, felts, etc)
  

Instructions

1. Remove the lid from the container.

2. Criss-cross as many strips of electrical tape or masking tape over the top of the container until it is completely covered.

3. Wrap construction paper snugly around container and tape in place.

4. Decorate drum as desired.

5. Make a pair of drumsticks by crumbling a piece of newspaper on the end of pencil or 4 kebab sticks and spiral masking or electrical tape from the bottom of the pencil to the top of the tissue ball.

6. Try playing on the drum!

Instructions for Fruit Shaker

Fruit Shaker

(Set up: 30 minutes, Duration: at least 2-3 classes of 30 minutes each)

What is a fruit shaker?

A fruit shaker is like a maraca, except it is in the shape of fruit. Teachers can find songs with fruits in it and have the students shake the fruits whenever their fruit is mentioned. Ex: “I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas,” “Mango Fandango,” and “Shake, Shake, Shake Your Apples.”

You will need:

• vegetable spray or cooking oil
• pieces of fruit
• ½ cup rice or other filler (beans, popcorn kernels, etc)
• newspaper torn into small pieces
• paper mache mix
• acrylic paints and clear finish material (water-based Polyurethane is recommended)
• paint brushes
• disposable globes (optional, but keeps the mess down)

Paper Mache Mix

Mix equal parts boiling water and flour until mixture is smooth. Add a tsp of cinnamon for a nicer smell, and ½ tsp of salt to stop moulding.

Instructions

1. Put a thin coating of vegetable spray or oil on the piece of fruit.

2. Cover the fruit with paper mache. To do this, dip newspaper strips into paper mixture, removing excess by pulling paper between fingers.

3. Allow to dry for a couple of days.

4. Cut fruit in half with a serrated knife and remove fruit and skin.

5. Put rice or other filler in paper fruit and use small amount of masking tape to
seal halves together.

6. Repeat with several more layers of paper mache and again allow to dry.

7. Paint or decorate fruit as wished.

8. Seal with Polyurethane.

9. Enjoy making music!

Instructions for Rainsticks

Rainstick

(Set up: 5 minutes, Duration: 10-15 minutes)

What is a rainstick?

A rainstick is a percussion instrument that makes the sound

of falling rain when tilted. Historically, it was made from a hollowed out dried cactus branch filled with small pebbles. Tribesmen in Chile used it in ceremonies to bring rain.

You will need:

• Cardboard tube (paper towel or gift wrap roll)
• Nails (approximately 40)
• Dried rice
• Tape
• Large sheet of paper (fit to wrap around cardboard tube)
• Two small squares of fabric
• Two elastic bands
• Decorating tools (paints, stickers, felts, etc)

Instructions

1. With the help of an adult, carefully poke the nails into the cardboard tube so that only the nail head is visible from the outside.

2. Decorate the large sheet of paper however you l

ike. Be creative!

3. Wrap paper around cardboard tube, taping securely.

4. Cover one end of the tube with one piece of fabric and sec

ure with elastic band.

5. Fill the tube with about 2 cups of dried rice.

6. Cover the remaining end of tube with other piece of fabric and secure with the other elastic band.

7. Try slowly turning your rain stick from horizontal.

Alterations

If you are in a primary classroom and don’t have a lot of adult supervision, tin foil can be used instead of nails. Crush the tin foil into different sized balls and fill the cardboard tube until approximately 1.5 inches from the top.

I used a Pringles container instead of a cardboard tube. This works as well, except you need to use a hot glue gun to secure the cap.

Putting on the Teacher Hat

Darren (5) and Evan (2.5) working on their guitars.

This weekend I was able to actually try making musical instruments with a 5 year old and a 2.5 year old. It was interesting because I'd never made either instrument before, but it was fun. I had planned on doing rainsticks and drums, but both were dead set on making guitars, so I had to think on the fly. I was rather proud of myself because they turned out pretty cool. The kids absolutely loved them. I also tested out something I read in the comments section on the rainstick craft. I was worried about using nails with younger kids, and I saw someone mention using tin foil balls instead, so I tried both ways and it was really successful. The nails took more work, and you definitely need strength to get the nails in, but the boys really enjoyed making it. Tin foil was a lot easier because both

could help out, but their "fun vote" definitely went to the nails. They sounded nearly identical, which is neat.

Darren and Evan playing their guitars!

Overall notes:

Guitars would be a fun craft to suggest to make at home, but probably wouldn't do in class because it doesn't make very authentic sounds.

Rainmakers are fun to make, sound neat, and could be worked into a unit on weather. If I have an older class, then they can put their own nails in. If I have a younger class, then I'd most likely choose to use the tin foils balls instead.

Instructions for Rhythm Sticks

Rhythm Sticks

(Set up: 5 minutes, Duration: 10-15 minutes)

What is a rhythm stick?

A rhythm stick is a great percussion instrument that can be used to keep the beat by banging the sticks. If you rub the sticks together, it makes a sound similar to that of crickets.

You will need:

• 15-25 wooden barrel beads
• 2 wooden skewers
• White glue

Instructions

1. With the help of an adult, break off the pointy tip of the wooden skewers.

2. Rub a coat of glue on each skewer, leaving the bottom 4” without glue.

3. Push beads down the skewer until you reach the end of the glue.

4. Add more glue to the bead on the end.

5. Set aside to dry overnight.

Instructions for Maracas

Maracas

(Set up: 1 hour, Duration: at least 2-3 classes of 30 minutes each)

You will need:

• Balloon
• Beans
• Tape (painter’s tape works best)
• Toilet paper tube
• Flour
• Water (boiling)
• Newspaper (cut into strips)
• Decorating tools

Paper Mache Mix

Mix equal parts boiling water and flour until mixture is smooth. Add a tsp of cinnamon for a nicer smell, and ½ tsp of salt to stop moulding.

Instruction

1. With the help of a friend, use a funnel to put a handful of beans into the
balloon.

2. With the help of an adult, blow up the balloon and tie in a tight knot.

3. Take the toilet paper tube and cut strips about a thumb length long along the
top of the tube. Tape to the underside of the balloon.

4. Cover the balloon and toilet paper role with paper mache. To do this, dip newspaper strips into paper mache mixture, taking off extra mix, and then putting on balloon. May need to do several layers.

5. Set aside dry for 2-3 days.

6. Decorate with paint, stickers, markers, or construction paper