Submitted by Ellen Beebe, Florida
Idea posted February 17, 2004
I had an inspiration I wanted to share in case someone else can use it too. I do not have Orff instruments, but I have lots and lots of rhythm instruments and am finding more and more ways to use them. However, in the past I've just hated having whiny children complain that they wanted to play something else, even though I certainly never made it negotiable. So... I cut up several old catalogs, found a picture to match each rhythm instrument I have, and then pasted each one on an index card. I even had them all laminated. Now, I pick students' names out of a hat if I want them to play an instrument, and when they come up they pick an instrument card, find the instrument, and get into ready position. No more whining! No more arguments! On a given day, I can put out only the instrument cards I choose; if everyone in the whole class is to have an instrument, I can have the right number and kind of cards ready beforehand. It's working!