I had an idea to teach rhythm using drumming, but I had no money for the supplies.
I had an idea about teaching music concepts with movement but I needed more training to make a good teaching plan.
Then I discovered a grant. But, it had to be for teaching students about healthy living.
So I put my problems together and my solutions together an found a program used mainly in health clubs but also had kid versions. It is called Drums Alive! but similar programs exist too. It consists of using rhythm sticks on exercise balls that are stabilized on some sort of base, typically a bucket.
This grant allowed up to $1000 in supplies
That bought me 35 exercise balls and 6 muck buckets.
Being a music class, I didn't need the rhythm sticks to be purchased.
I have to say, this adventure has created the most fun lessons. Students are creating rhythm patterns and using them. We dance and get really sweaty. I alternate between pop music, movie songs, and classical music and NO ONE complains about the choices because the next song might be the one they like.
Today my new principal got to see this in action as I enter the second year of a crazy idea. The link below is a short clip of how much fun we get to have in music class.
http://ln.is/www.youtube.com/PVuSf
