Submitted by Linda Abbott, New York
Idea posted February 14, 2003
I put instruments/props in plastic baskets (Dollar store variety), boxes, or plastic bags. It all depends on the size and shape of the materials. Each class has their own set of baskets - 1 per riser row. Students on an end of each row get the baskets at the appropriate time, take out their prop, and pass the basket to the next person. The child at the end of the row puts the basket on the floor (or wherever convenient). At the end of the song, the process is reversed and the original person returns the basket to its spot.
Children in grades 1-5 have been very successful using this method. (TIP: If you use hats, have each one in a separate ziplock bag to avoid the spread of creepy crawlies - AND to keep you out of hot water with parents!)