Orchestra Brushstrokes

Around a huge sheet of butcher paper on the ground, children paint big strokes with wide brushes that change with the music: curves to a waltz, straight lines to a march, and dots to fast music. They work on rhythm, big arm movements, and moving around the paper.

How to play

1. We spread out a very large sheet of paper and set trays of colors around it; each child takes a wide brush (2 min).
2. Without paint, we rehearse: to waltz music we make curves in the air with the whole arm; to a march, lines from top to bottom; to fast music, little dots (2 min).
3. We dip our brushes and paint while kneeling at the edge of the paper, following the music as it changes (4 min).
4. When the music stops, we put down our brushes and walk around the paper to a new spot and color; when it starts again, we keep painting (5 min).
5. We put the brushes in the bucket and stand around the paper to admire the orchestra's masterpiece (2 min).

Rules

• Brushes paint only the paper, never a friend.
• When the music stops, the brush goes in the tray.
• Walk around the paper, not on it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: extend the brush handle with a stick or tube so the child can paint from a wheelchair at the edge of the paper.
• Autism: give them a fixed spot with their own tray and let them know when the music is about to change.
• Hearing loss: the teacher acts as conductor with a scarf, drawing the current stroke in the air.

Learning goals

• Match brushstrokes to different musical rhythms.
• Make big arm and shoulder movements.
• Share space to create a group artwork.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Butcher paper roll: 1
• Wide paintbrushes: 25
• Washable paint: 4
• Trays: 6
• Music

Teacher tip

Use royalty-free instrumental music, or play a drum and hum yourself. The typical mistake is painting one spot until the paper tears: "Your brush travels across the paper."

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