Submitted by Connie Herbon, Iowa
Idea posted January 7, 2004
A contribution from Lori Wood ("Twelve Days of Percussion") in the Network section of Music K-8 magazine Music K-8, Vol. 14, No. 2, inspired me to create this activity for my third graders. They never get enough percussion playing, and we now have space to spread tables out in our new room and use multiple instruments on the verses.
(The following items could easily be switched or replaced, depending on supplies.)First Day: a SIL-ver glockenspiel (Always follow by C' F on glockenspiel assuming we're in key of F)
Second Day: two whistling tubes (those ribbed hoses that whistle when you twirl them)
Third Day: three castanets
Fourth Day: four temple blocks
Fifth Day: five cool Boomwhackers® (C, E, G tubes always follow with "ti-ti ta rest" pattern)
Sixth Day: six tambourines
Seventh Day: seven shaker cans (juice or Pringles cans with rice or beans sealed inside)
Eighth Day: eight finger cymbals (four pair)
Ninth Day: nine booming drums (any kind)
Tenth Day: ten streaming streamers (or could be scarves)
Eleventh Day: eleven jingle bells
Twelfth Day: twelve rhythm sticks (six pair)
We won't have enough students in one class for all these instruments, but we'll figure out a rotation so everything gets played. Except for the glockenspiel and Boomwhackers®, all instruments (and streamers) will just "do their thing" when they are named.