Paint the Melody

These are dollar store paint brushes that I keep on hand for an activity called "Paint the Melody." With a brush in hand, the children can follow the melody line as they sing, "painting" the rise and fall of the music. This is another way for the children to explore how the melody moves in the song. The movements of the children can be less precise and more fluid than when they use the pitch sticks. It is a more free-form, interpretive kind of activity. "Paint the Melody" is also a good way to help the children see interesting rhythms and how the rhythm and melody combine in a beautiful way. It gives the children an opportunity to move.

Just take a paintbrush and demonstrate how to follow the melody in smooth, fluid motions. You can dab here and there on short notes and add large flourishes as the music rises to the climax. Then pass out the paintbrushes and invite the children to follow what they hear in the music. Really, it just adds fun and creates another opportunity to review the song.

P.S. - If your primary is extra large, buying even cheap paintbrushes would be prohibitive. In this case, you could ask the children to pretend they have a paintbrush. If you are dramatic enough, you could probably pull it off!