Submitted by Rhonda Schilling, Madison, Wisconsin

Idea posted December 17, 2004

For my stomp unit (for 5th grade) we do the following activities:
Watch some of the movie Stomp Out Loud.
Discuss what they used for instruments.
What are some instruments (besides the obvious) we could use in our room?
Discuss the use of ostinatos.
Discuss the use of form.
etc.
Then, I break them into groups of four to six kids.
Each group gets the following materials:
  • a pair of rhythm sticks (not to be used in the traditional manner of striking against each other).
  • a five-gallon water jug. Check with your local water supplier for old jugs they can't use anymore. They make absolutely WONDERFUL drums. You can use a mallet, or just hit them against the ground at an angle. (Use on a softer surface to prevent breakage.)
  • a basketball.
  • a mailing tube.
  • and/or any other type of found object that might make a good sound.
    • The groups are asked to make a piece in RONDO form (but it could be any form). The directions are:
  • Each member of the group needs to be involved.
  • The composition process needs to involve everyone in the group.
  • The groups make up ostinatos to create the parts of their form.
  • Groups practice them so that they don't forget. (We usually spend a few lessons on this.)
  • Groups put the form together.
  • Groups perform the piece for the class.

I take my video camera to school on the performance day and videotape their compositions. In the past, I've asked them to notate their compositions, but I don't anymore. The groups usually make such complex ostinatos that they can't correctly notate their compositions, and I don't want to limit them only to rhythmic patterns they can write.