Primary Music: Using a Rainstick to Teach Downbeat

I had a lot of success using the rain stick to teach downbeat to a large group of children today!  I simply explained that each time the person standing up leading the music has their hands go down--that should be with the downbeat of the song.  I chose a song with a 3/4 time signature which started with an upbeat (Choose the Right Way).  As we sang the song, I swayed from side to side tilting the rain stick with each downbeat.  I pointed out to the children that this song didn't start out right away on the downbeat so they needed to watch me closely.

I varied the activity by having groups of children come up front with me and sway with me, and by having an individual child take a turn leading the downbeat by tilting the rain stick. 

Be Inspired,