Making Music with Pool Noodles

I'm the music teacher you will find browsing the dollar store for ordinary objects that we can use in music class.  I get excited looking at each Oriental Trading magazine the shows up in the mail.  It just gets my creative juices going.  These props extend the concepts being taught and create unforgettable moments in class.  I always want the class to leaving singing a song and saying they had fun!

I follow a lot of blogs and I heard that some music teachers were using pool noodles.

I thought, "How much fun is that?!"

Most of my students are 6 and under right now but I thought this could work for them too!

It most certainly did!

Toddlers, Preschoolers and young Grade School students LOVE stop and go games.  When I brought out the pool noodles we tapped them on the floor.  They would follow me tapping at the speeds I did.  Then I'd randomly make them freeze.  Then we also rolled them on the floor with our hands like we were making cookies.  These activities are so good for developing a steady beat, coordination, listening skills and fine and gross motor skills.  The kids just have a blast!

Then we pretended they were flowers to balance gently on our hands.  In future classes, I would challenge them to hold them in different ways.  I love being the DJ and setting the mood with various songs.  Just think about what you want to focus on and use the pool noodles as an enhancement.

With older kids you can allow each child to start your beat and call out freeze.  You can also have them echo patterns.  You can have them read patterns that you write on the board or posters.  Team up older children with a partner to tap the rhythms.  If you have enough, use 2 for each child like large rhythm sticks.  Listen to their ideas too! 

I cut mine in half which saved on the cost and made them a bit more manageable for little hands.

Don't forget to set your ground rules and expectations.  Follow through with what you say!

"No fun if we don't follow directions!"

Go ahead and go to the pool in music class with your new, inexpensive props! 

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