Calypso Rhythm Shakers
Special Foods & Decorations
20 minutes
Individual with teacher support
Learning Objectives
- Create simple musical instruments
- Learn about calypso music traditions
- Develop rhythm and musical skills
- Practice following instructions for craft project
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1Show children examples of Caribbean shakers and maracas
- 2Help children put rice or beans in bottles (teacher uses funnel)
- 3Secure lids tightly
- 4Decorate bottles with colorful tape and stickers
- 5Test shakers by shaking gently
- 6Listen to calypso music and practice shaking to beat
- 7Form circle and play shakers together
- 8Learn simple calypso rhythm patterns
Assessment Criteria
- ✓Child creates functional shaker instrument
- ✓Child decorates shaker creatively
- ✓Child uses shaker appropriately with music
- ✓Child attempts to follow rhythm patterns
Materials Needed
- Small plastic bottles with lids
- Rice, beans, or small pebbles
- Colorful electrical tape
- Stickers
- Calypso music recordings
- Funnel (for teacher use)
Preparation
- •Clean plastic bottles thoroughly
- •Set up stations with decorating materials
- •Prepare calypso music playlist
- •Have funnel ready for filling bottles
Teaching Tips
- 💡Make sure lids are very secure
- 💡Start with simple rhythm patterns
- 💡Encourage children to feel the beat
- 💡Connect to other Caribbean music experiences
Extension Activities
- +Learn about other Caribbean instruments
- +Create a classroom calypso band
- +Listen to different styles of Caribbean music
- +Invite musician to demonstrate Caribbean instruments
Key Vocabulary
shaker
rhythm
calypso
music
beat
instrument
Caribbean