“Can you 7 children come and help me here on the floor sitting in a circle?” I hand each child two sticks. “Here’s the pattern. Tap, click, click, tap, click, click.”
The children do the pattern. I start to sing the song “Our prophet has some words for you…”
“Freeze! I need 7 more children to join us in the circle.” An adult helps me hand each child two sticks. “Tap, click, click, tap, click, click.” All the children join the pattern. I start to sing as they continue the pattern on the beat. “And these are the words Be true, Be true.”
(Yes, you may need to move some chairs back for this activity, then return them into place when done.)
“Freeze! I need 7 more children to join us!” An adult helps me hand each new child two sticks. “Tap, click, click, tap, click, click.” All the children join the pattern. I start to sing as they continue the pattern on the beat. “At work or at play, in darkness or light,”
“Freeze! I need 7 more children to join us!” An adult helps me hand each new child two sticks. “Tap, click, click, tap, click, click.” All the children join the pattern. I start to sing as they continue the pattern on the beat. “Be true, Be true and stand for the right!”
(If you have a small Primary, this may include all of your older children. If not, remind them at this point that we are going to switch off after singing the song one more time so they will all get a turn. Thank them for waiting so patiently.)
“Freeze! This activity was so simple for you that we need to add an extra challenge! Here’s the new challenge. Tap, click, click, Tap, click, click, Pass to your right (sticks on the floor), Pick up from your left.” “Ready?” Lead the children through the pattern at least twice so they can practice passing to their right and picking up on their left.
“Freeze! Ready? Tap, click, click, Tap, click, click, Pass, Pick up.” After the children have done the pattern twice, start singing the song while they are passing the Maori sticks around the circle. You may have to freeze in the middle of the song if the sticks are really mixed up in order to bring back a little order in the passing. Just start from where you left off.
As soon as you finish singing the whole song, again say, “Freeze!” This is an excellent time to bear your testimony about being true and the strength it requires to stand for the right.
The children are interacting, working with patterns, keeping a steady beat, feeling an excitement about the song, and …. it is fun!
Jonna
I love all your ideas and my Primary kids have been really enjoying them also. What are the dimensions of the PVC pipe to make the Maori sticks? Like, how long are they, and what size of pipe works best? Thank you so much for all your hard work in posting these great activities!
Sharla Dance
Dear Jonna, I used 12 inch long 3/4th inch PVC pipe. At first I tried to cut a trial one myself, but soon realized the professional machines are ten times as fast and they are more accurate. These are quite loud and some people prefer dowels or a different lighter substance that isn’t quite as loud. (I have been using these pipes for over 15 years, so these do work. I just wanted to give you some options.)
Take care, Sharla
Jonna
Thank you!!
Ariane Dockstader
When seven new children come up, do the seven children you already have in the group go sit down so that you only have seven children at a time participating? I have a large primary of 60 kids in my senior so I’m trying to figure out logistics to get everyone up there.
Sharla Dance
I pull almost half of the Primary up to the front sometimes! They have smaller bodies than adults, and it seems to work. I want to get as many children as possible participating. Thanks for asking!
Annie
Can most of the maori stick and rhythm stick activities be interchangeable? I recognize the difference visually between the sticks, but is there any other significant difference between the two? Or how you choose which sticks to use with different songs? Is it mostly just a way to practice the same thing with different tools to provide variety?