Rhythm sticks are a popular teaching tool that many schools use to help hone a number of different skills in middle schoolers. A rhythm stick game is excellent for teaching rhythm techniques as well as a wonderful hand-eye coordination tool. It is definitely a fantastic resource to have.
You can use rhythm sticks to help foster rhythm skills in students as well as target motor skills and even strengthen the muscles in the hand. Take a look at these 15 entertaining rhythm stick activities that middle schoolers will enjoy and learn from.
1. Echo Game
This is a pretty simple game to follow. The music teacher makes a rhythm using their sticks, and then the students will copy or echo the pattern. This playful activity can help boost memory, listening, and coordination.
Learn More: Youtube
2. Rhythm Sticks With Spoken Poems
In this activity, the students will need to take note of the repeated patterns when they read a poem. It will test your student’s attention to detail and enhance their listening skills.
Learn More: Teaching With Orff
3. Rhythms stick line dance
This dance rhythm activity can even be presented during school programs. To perfect this line dance, the group must work together with movements for rhythm. It’s a fun movement game idea for the students' favorite songs that can help improve students’ multitasking skills.
Learn More: Youtube
4. The Stick Drill
This works in a similar fashion as the regular stick game but is slightly more challenging. It requires your middle school students to follow instructions faster and combine rhythm patterns. It’s an excellent drill that helps improve listening, coordination, and execution.
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5. Musical Rhythm Battle
Divide your class into groups for these music rhythm stick activities. Have them choose appropriate classroom music in which they can incorporate cardio or dance while using their rhythm sticks. You can invite other school teachers to judge who has the best presentation! It can also be done as classroom performance. Music with rhythm sticks is always a fun activity.
Learn More: Youtube
6. Poison Rhythm
The teacher will act as the leader and have the rest of the class face them. Together, decide on a poison rhythm — a rhythm that should not be repeated. In this game, the students will echo the rhythm patterns of the teacher, except for the poison rhythm. Whoever performs the poison rhythm is out of this fast-paced game!
Learn More: NAFME
7. Rhythm Stick Floor Jam
This is a routine that’s perfect for even a warm-up exercise for the students. Since this rhythm stick floor jam is a repetitive routine, you can tweak the tempo to make a faster and more complicated version for the students, which can help improve their motor skills.
Learn More: Youtube
8. Rhythm Stick Play-Along
A great way for students to practice their two-handed coordination, this is a simple but effective activity. You can even change the music to match the students’ skill levels. This rhythm reading activity can boost their coordination as well as listening.
Learn More: Youtube
9. Sarasponda
This Dutch stick game is excellent as a warm-up as well as a teaching exercise. It is one of the most popular rhythm stick lessons that are ideal not only for middle schoolers but also for elementary students.
Learn More: NYCos.co
10. Maori Stick Game
The Te Rakau is a stick rhythm game common in New Zealand. This game is done in pairs and will test your coordination and concentration. As the students improve, you can speed up the music and learn to do tricks like double throws.
Learn More: Youtube
11. Rock the Boat
This is one of the most enjoyable game rhythm activities. Students are grouped and pretend to be aboard a boat that they need to row by using their rhythm sticks. This is usually used to learn about syncopation but is still a good rhythm stick activity for middle schoolers.
Learn More: Yellow Brick Road Blog
12. Emoji Rhythms
Middle school students are very familiar with emojis, so why not incorporate them into this fun rhythm game? They pick an emoji. For example, a penguin rhythm icon and have to play the rhythm pattern of that emoji. Aside from using rhythm sticks, students can also use any other instrument or even just clap. Creating a pattern with rhythm sticks is also a great activity to conduct.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
13. Singing With Rhythm Sticks
It is always fun to go back to simpler patterns. This set of 10 songs. The students can sing their favorite rhythm sticks song and use their rhythm sticks along with other musical instruments is a good break from all complicated and advanced patterns.
Learn More: TES
14. Rhythm Stick Freeze
This is a fun little interactive game with rhythm sticks that will allow everyone in your class to have fun while polishing their rhythm stick skills. Perfect to play with a small group, in a classroom setting, or with the entire grade, it’s an excellent way to start or end your day.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
15. Seven Body Percussion Game
Tweak this body percussion game by using rhythm sticks instead of your hands. Have your students follow the pattern and try to keep up as the tempo speeds up! It is a fun rhythm review game.
Learn More: Youtube
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