How to Use Water Bottles to Teach Kids About Rhythm

There are many fun, innovative ways to teach kids about rhythm, and many great instruments readily available for such lessons in most elementary music classrooms. But who says you always have to use traditional percussion instruments? Here is an activity that works great for third-graders on up, as long as they can read simple rhythmic notation. Even if they can’t, you can teach them the ostinato by rote. Chances are, your students will love this activity!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pair of matching disposable plastic water bottles for each child in the class
• A whiteboard and marker
• A stereo system

1. Give each student a matching pair of water bottles. Show them how to hold one in each hand, with their thumb and index finger wrapped around its neck.

2. Have the students sit cross-legged on the floor. Show them the three ways to strike the water bottles—together in front of them, simultaneously on the floor, and alternating on the floor.

3. Notate a simple rhythmic ostinato on the whiteboard, one that uses all three methods of striking the water bottles. Demonstrate it yourself and then have the students practice it.

4. Have the students perform the ostinato individually, in small groups, and as a class, at various speeds, until you are sure that they’ve got it down pat.

5. Add music that fits the meter of the ostinato you’ve been working on. Have the students “play” their water bottles along with the music. They will probably enjoy this activity quite a bit, so it will be up to you to focus their enthusiasm and make sure they don’t get out of hand. Take the bottles away from any student who isn’t following the ostinato or who is deliberately ignoring the tempo of the music.