We love fun, engaging manipulatives that enhance music learning experiences! Since glow sticks can only be used once, it's best to use them with several classes in one day. Here are some glow stick ideas that both of us use with our students!
1. Glow Sticks as Mallets
Replacing mallets with glow sticks on the barred instruments is a favourite! Using glow sticks gives the ensemble a lighter, softer timbre. Use them for any song, but Halloween themed pieces are especially fun. Steph uses glow sticks with her grade 4 classes to play "Skin and Bones", making it extra creepy and Halloween-y, oooOOoooOo!
Replacing mallets with glow sticks on the barred instruments is a favourite! Using glow sticks gives the ensemble a lighter, softer timbre. Use them for any song, but Halloween themed pieces are especially fun. Steph uses glow sticks with her grade 4 classes to play "Skin and Bones", making it extra creepy and Halloween-y, oooOOoooOo!
2. Glow Sticks for Singing Warm-ups
Use glow sticks with students during warm-ups for vocal slides! A student leader can move a glow stick in the air as the rest of the class produces a vocal slide accordingly. So fun!
Use glow sticks with students during warm-ups for vocal slides! A student leader can move a glow stick in the air as the rest of the class produces a vocal slide accordingly. So fun!
3. Glow Sticks as Batons and/or Beatkeepers
Glow sticks can be used for students to practice conducting (in a variety of meters) while singing or while listening to music. They can also be simply used as beat keepers during listening activities.
Glow sticks can be used for students to practice conducting (in a variety of meters) while singing or while listening to music. They can also be simply used as beat keepers during listening activities.
4. Glow Stick Freeze Dance
So much fun! Play your choice of music recording, turn the lights out and use glow sticks during a game of freeze dance! Your classes will love this!
Do you use glow sticks with your music classes? What fun manipulatives do you incorporate into your music programs?
So much fun! Play your choice of music recording, turn the lights out and use glow sticks during a game of freeze dance! Your classes will love this!
Do you use glow sticks with your music classes? What fun manipulatives do you incorporate into your music programs?