Whether it’s testing season or you just have beautiful weather, outdoor music activities can be fun and valuable! Fresh air and sunshine are so important for us, and sometimes the change of pace can be just what we need. In this post we’re talking about the many ways you can get outside and also teach valuable content and standards!
Rhythm Ideas
First, practice writing rhythm patterns using chalk! Give students some chalk, say a pattern, and have students notate the pattern. It’s fun to see all of the patterns on the sidewalk! You could also use this as a chance to have students compose a pattern. Then, have students stop at each pattern and say it out loud before going to the next pattern.
Instead of using chalk, you could find other objects to use as manipulatives. You might find rocks from the landscaping or leaves, if it’s not a windy day, Maybe your school is next to the woods and you could collect sticks or pine needles to create patterns with. This could also work for solfege patterns!
Dynamics Activity
A fun outdoor music activity for teaching piano and forte is collecting and testing different objects from nature. For this activity, students will find something from nature and hypothesize whether it’s going to be forte or piano when shaken or tapped on concrete. You’ll want to decide beforehand how you’re going to test it. I’ve done it in crayon boxes and that’s worked well, but then you have to store the original contents from the boxes somewhere else. You could also use a tissue box if you can collect some from families or other classrooms. Your other option could be just tapping it on the sidewalk. Collect and try a few different things- rocks, twigs, mulch, dirt, grass, etc.
If you want to make this a great cross-curricular activity, you could turn this into a chart with your students. To do this, I would create a bar graph. Students will vote on whether they think each item will be piano or forte- these will be the bars on my graph. Underneath the name of each item, we’ll write either piano or forte, depending on what we determine the outcome to be.
Outdoor Games
Grizzly Bear
To play, choose a grizzly bear. This person will sit on the ground with their eyes closed. The rest of the students will circle around the bear and walk in the circle during the song. At the end of the song, the bear wakes up and chases the students. If the student gets tagged, they have to freeze. Students cannot be unfrozen. The bear then gets to pick a new bear.
No Robbers Out Today
First, students will stand with their eyes closed. I will tap one person on the shoulder to be the robber. Students will walk around while singing the song. At the end of the song, the robber will start chasing students. If a student gets tagged, he is frozen. Students cannot be unfrozen. To make it extra fun, pick two robbers!
We Are Dancing in the Forest
Pick a wolf to stand with its eyes closed outside the circle. Students will walk around the circle while singing the song. At the end of the song, students ask “where are you, wolf?” The wolf can say just about anything, like “I’m eating ice cream”, or “I’m taking a nap.” If the wolf says something like this, students walk around the circle and sing again. However, if the wolf says, “I’m right here!” then the wolf will start chasing the students! If the wolf tags someone, that person is frozen and cannot be unfrozen. I let the wolf say two silly things, then the third time they have to say “I’m right here” so that we’re not singing the song several times for that same person. If you want to use this song for more than just a game, it’s great for la and quarter and eighth notes. You can buy the slides to help you prepare and present those concepts here.
If you can get your students outside, you should absolutely try it sometime! It can be hard to give up the technology you may have in your classroom, but I promise it’s worth it. The kids have so much fun, the sunshine is wonderful, and it puts everyone in the best mood. If you try it, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@caffeinated.j) so I can see what you’re up to!
