If you are an elementary music teacher who likes to use rhythm sticks, I’ve got a fun rhythm stick activity you can use with the song “Capybara Dance”. This is an easy rhythm stick routine you can teach to your students using the song.
Here I’m sharing a quick tutorial to get you started.
RHYTHM STICK ACTIVITY
The song is on the Sing Play Create Kids Music Channel as well as available on Spotify and iTunes.
LEARN THE SONG
Have the students listen and sing and move along with the song to prepare them to do the rhythm stick activity.
It does help if they can sing the Refrain.
CAPYBARA, CAPYBARA, dance like a capybara!
CAPYBARA, CAPYBARA, dance like a capybara!
![Capybara Dance by Sandra Hendrickson Sing Play Create. Subscribe to get this freebie. https://www.singplaycreate.com/subscribe](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/capy_rhst_11-815x630.jpg)
BEAT
All the actions are played on the steady beat. While learning the song, students can play the beat using any of the moves.
This will make a nice warm up activity. There are several action cards you can choose from or use for a warm up activity.
You can use these images with any music too!
![Capybara Dance by Sandra Hendrickson Sing Play Create. Subscribe to get this freebie. https://www.singplaycreate.com/subscribe](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/capy_rhst_35-815x630.jpg)
FORM OF THE SONG
The form of the song is AABCAABCAABC.
There are different patterns for each section of the song.
Review each action first, then practice the patterns for each section.
Then put the sections together.
It will be helpful to say the lyrics and have the students play the pattern before using the music or video.
![Capybara Dance by Sandra Hendrickson Sing Play Create. Subscribe to get this freebie. https://www.singplaycreate.com/subscribe](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/capy_rhst_17-815x630.jpg)
PLAY THE SONG
Now it’s time to put all the stick patterns with the music.
You may want to assign different groups to play for each section.
Then switch parts.
After students have played the song a few times, they can then do the entire song.
Another idea is to have them STAND on SECTION A, SIT on SECTION B, and CHOOSE on SECTION C.
I believe upper elementary students would enjoy that activity.
GET THE FREE RESOURCE
Subscribe to the Freebies group and gain access to over a hundred free resources.
You can use this rhythm stick activity with the YouTube video or find it on your favorite music subscription service.
Let me know how this rhythm stick activity worked out for you!
![Capybara Dance by Sandra Hendrickson Sing Play Create. Subscribe to get this freebie. https://www.singplaycreate.com/subscribe](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/34227-1-630x630.jpg)
Thanks for reading this post!
Read these blog posts for more music activities!
FORM: Music Class Activities to Teach Form
RESOURCES LIKE THIS ONE
Winter Rhythm Stick Activities: Rhythm Play Along {Rhythm Icons, ta, ti-ti}
Let’s keep kids moving and learning with music.
![Sandra from Sing Play Create](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sandra-web-1200x268.jpg)
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![Do you like to use rhythm sticks in your elementary music classroom? Then you'll love giving this fun rhythm stick routine a try. Elementary students can practice the Beat and learn FORM in this easy to do lesson.
Download the Freebie.
Use the activity in your classroom in just a short time.](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/capybara-rhythm-stick-tk-1-354x630.jpg)
![Do you like to use rhythm sticks in your elementary music classroom? Then you'll love giving this fun rhythm stick routine a try. Elementary students can practice the Beat and learn FORM in this easy to do lesson.
Download the Freebie.
Use the activity in your classroom in just a short time.](https://www.singplaycreate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/free-capybara-rhythm-stick-routine-630x630.jpg)