Stomp Parade: Marching Rhythms with Recycled Gear

The whole class becomes a marching band that plays recycled-material rhythms while moving and changing formation. The focus is playing and traveling at the same time without losing the beat.

How to play

1. Block formation in four rows. March in place to the beat with a stomp on count one (5 min).
2. Each row has one material and a four-count ostinato. Play while marching in a straight line (6 min).
3. Formation changes on the signal: 90-degree turn, split into two columns and close back up (7 min).
4. Each row designs a cone route and an eight-count break played standing still (7 min).
5. Final parade around the schoolyard linking the four routes and the four breaks (5 min).

Rules

• Keep an arm's length from the person in front.
• Play at waist height, never above your head.
• If you lose the beat, stop, listen and come back in on count one.
• The front row watches the route; everyone else watches the front row.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: keep the beat from a fixed point on the route as the band's bass drum.
• Blind or low-vision students: march in the middle of the block, a hand on the shoulder of the person in front.
• Students sensitive to noise: earplugs or the quietest material.

Learning goals

• Hold an ostinato while walking.
• Coordinate formation changes as a group.
• Create and lead part of a group performance.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cardboard tubes: 14
• plastic bottles: 14
• cardboard boxes: 7
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

A captain per row calling count one out loud makes it work. If the block speeds up, stop and go back to marching in place; it is almost always the front row rushing.

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