Rain Stick Lesson Plan
Unit Theme: Native Americans
Lesson: Rain Stick
Integrated Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Projected Time: 30 minutes--
10 minutes for powerpoint
20 minutes for lesson
Lesson: Rain Stick
Integrated Subject: Social Studies
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Projected Time: 30 minutes--
10 minutes for powerpoint
20 minutes for lesson
Lesson Overview:
Students will learn about what a rain stick is and how it is made, along with history about why rain sticks were used by Native Americans. In this lesson, students discover the old tradition of rain sticks and create their own using cardboard tubes and various beans, rice, and pebbles.
Teacher Exemplar:
Visual Culture Connection:
Show students a real rainstick and how they sound. Let the students take turns trying out the rainstick. Explain to the students that rain sticks are still used today in orchestras and bands.
Standards:
Grade 2, Social Studies
Standard 2-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of cultural contributions made by people from the various regions in the United States. Indicators: 2-4.1 Recognize the basic elements that make up a cultural region in the United States, including language, beliefs, customs, art, and literature. 2-4.3 Recognize the cultural contributions of Native American tribal groups, African Americans, and immigrant groups. |
Grade 2, Visual Arts
Standard 1: The student will demonstrate competence in the use of ideas, materials, techniques, and processes in the creation of works of visual art. Indicators VA2-1.1 Identify the materials, techniques, and processes used in a variety of artworks. VA2-1.2 Discuss the reasons that different elements and principles of design each cause their own distinct response in one who is creating or viewing works of visual art. VA2-1.3 Use and combine a variety of materials, techniques, and processes to create works of visual art. VA2-1.4 Use all art materials and tools in a safe and responsible manner. Standard 4: The student will understand the visual arts in relation to history and world cultures and the technologies, tools, and materials used by artists. Indicators VA2-4.1 Identify and discuss specific works of visual art as belonging to a particular time, culture, and place. VA2-4.2 Discuss specific works of visual art in relationship to the technologies, tools, and materials used by the artists. Standard 6: The student will make connections between the visual arts and other arts disciplines, other content areas, and the world. Indicators VA3-6.1 Identify similarities and connections between the visual arts and other subjects in the school curriculum. VA3-6.2 Discuss and compare the similarities and differences between the visual arts and other arts disciplines. VA3-6.3 Discuss and write about the ways that skills from another area of the curriculum are used in the visual arts. |
Vocabulary:
Rain stick- a percussion instrument that is made from a dried cactus branch that is hollowed out and filled with small pebbles and capped at both ends. Native Americans used rain sticks to call on the Rain Gods to bring on rainstorms during droughts.
Culture- characteristics of a particular group of people. Their 'way of life' that is passed on from generation to generation.
Native American- a member of any of the first groups of people living in North America or South America.
Twist- to bend, curl, and curve into a shape.
Construct- to make or form by combining or arranging parts of an element.
Pattern- a design that is repeated in a certain order.
Culture- characteristics of a particular group of people. Their 'way of life' that is passed on from generation to generation.
Native American- a member of any of the first groups of people living in North America or South America.
Twist- to bend, curl, and curve into a shape.
Construct- to make or form by combining or arranging parts of an element.
Pattern- a design that is repeated in a certain order.
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- construct a rainstick and create rain sounds with the rainstick.
- identify the culture of the rainstick.
- create patterns of native american symbols on the rainstick.
Materials: (Class of 15)
Paper towel rolls
Thick paper or construction paper (1 Half sheet and 1- 11" x 7" sheet)
Masking tape
Glue stick and glue
Foil
Rice, beans, beads, pebbles
Various decorative items-markers, paint, crayons, etc.
Thick paper or construction paper (1 Half sheet and 1- 11" x 7" sheet)
Masking tape
Glue stick and glue
Foil
Rice, beans, beads, pebbles
Various decorative items-markers, paint, crayons, etc.
Procedures:
1. The teacher will introduce the lesson with a powerpoint on Native American tribes and their purpose for rainsticks. They will also explain the objectives and describe what they will be doing that day.
2. They will then begin the lesson with the following steps: (the teacher will walkthrough each step with the students)
1. Trace the end of the tube onto a light brown piece of construction paper twice (one for each end). Make a larger circle around the edge of the tracing and add several lines like in the image:
2. Cut out the circles and cut the lines with scissors
3. Tape one circle onto one end of the paper towel tube to close off one end.
3. Tape one circle onto one end of the paper towel tube to close off one end.
4. Obtain a piece of foil that is twice the length of the paper towel tube.
5. Cut the piece of foil down the center of the foil, creating two LONG pieces of foil.
6. Crumble the foil to create two thin snake-like pieces of foil.
7. Use a marker and wrap each snake piece of foil around the marker to create a spiral. Stretch out the two spirals to the length of the paper towel tube.
5. Cut the piece of foil down the center of the foil, creating two LONG pieces of foil.
6. Crumble the foil to create two thin snake-like pieces of foil.
7. Use a marker and wrap each snake piece of foil around the marker to create a spiral. Stretch out the two spirals to the length of the paper towel tube.
8. Insert the two spirals carefully into the paper towel tube.
9. Add uncooked rice, beans, beads, pebbles, etc. into the tube (make sure not to add too much). Experiment little by little adding.
9. Add uncooked rice, beans, beads, pebbles, etc. into the tube (make sure not to add too much). Experiment little by little adding.
10. Place hand over top the opening of the paper towel tube to test out the sound of the rainstick.
11. After deciding on the right sound, seal the opening of the paper towel like you did in step 2 and 3.
12. Decorate a sheet of brown construction paper, that is large enough to cover the entire paper towel, with symbols that show the importance of rain for us today while using patterns.
11. After deciding on the right sound, seal the opening of the paper towel like you did in step 2 and 3.
12. Decorate a sheet of brown construction paper, that is large enough to cover the entire paper towel, with symbols that show the importance of rain for us today while using patterns.
13. Attach the contruction paper to the paper towel using glue.
Artist Connection:
Rain sticks originated from Peru and Chile. Rain sticks are typically made from dried cactus stems or even stems of bamboo. The dried cactus stems have the thorns on them pulled out, reversed, and then pushed back in. Small pebbles or gravel are used inside of the rain stick so that they strike the thorns and produce the sound of falling rain. Rain sticks were used to call on the Rain Gods and bring on rainstorms when there were periods of drought.
Evaluation:
Students should be evaluated based on effort and creative thought they have put into their rainstick. The rainstick should include symbols that relate to how rain is important in their lives today rather than mimicking. Symbols must be in pattern form.
Reflection:
Three things that went well:
Three things that I could have changed:
- Everyone really seemed to enjoy the lesson.
- No one was confused about my instructions.
- My time management was great.
Three things that I could have changed:
- Bring in an actual rain stick for everyone to see and hear.
- Show a video of a band or orchestra that includes a rainstick to show how they are used today.
- I could have created a rainstick with everyone to model how to do each step.
Student Work
Teaching the Lesson:
Resources:
http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/chilean-rainsticks-lesson-plan/ -Crayola Website with Chilean Rainsticks instruction
http://www.sargentart.com/sa/download/lessonplan/5-8/Rainsticks.pdf - a lesson plan created from an arts material website
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLI2S6QAkPc/T_Wwb23ZYpI/AAAAAAAAAdM/gWyODHL-kqE/s1600/nativeSymbols.JPG - Native American Symbols
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/se/Instructional-Practices-and-Evaluations/documents/FINALAPPROVEDSSStandardsAugust182011.pdf - South Carolina Social Studies State Standards
Rain Stick History
http://www.sargentart.com/sa/download/lessonplan/5-8/Rainsticks.pdf - a lesson plan created from an arts material website
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLI2S6QAkPc/T_Wwb23ZYpI/AAAAAAAAAdM/gWyODHL-kqE/s1600/nativeSymbols.JPG - Native American Symbols
http://ed.sc.gov/agency/se/Instructional-Practices-and-Evaluations/documents/FINALAPPROVEDSSStandardsAugust182011.pdf - South Carolina Social Studies State Standards
Rain Stick History