One of my
favorite activities when teaching dynamics is having the students create a rain
storm. I start by reading the book. It walks through a rainstorm from start to
finish. The book, as it is, is best to demonstrate crescendo. If I want to
demonstrate a decrescendo, I read the sections in backwards order.
Students
start by watching this video to see how body percussion can show a rain storm.
Then we try it as I read the book. When students are confident in when and how
to crescendo/decrescendo, we add in paper. I get paper I plan on recycling and
crumple it up, then have students use 1-5 fingers to control dynamics.
If you have
them, rain instruments are a great add-in. Students play rain sticks and ocean
drums the whole time and control their volume just like the students using
paper as an instrument. I have a thunder tube (that the kids LOVE) and we only
add that at our loudest volume. One of the best things about this activity is
you can specialize it for several grades, depending on what dynamics they know
and are learning.
It is also
easy to tie in a rain song somewhere in the book. Here is a list of rain songsfrom Beth’s Notes that are a good start. Movement with scarves to represent
clouds, rain drops, and the sun could also be added. With additions, this book
could make an excellent program.
I hope your
students have a blast creating rain storms!
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