October is a wild month and there all seems to be a spike in sugary snacks that are packed into lunch kits. And I’m sure the kids have some, too! 😜 Candy is a language all students speak. So why not use it in music? You’ve seen the fruit rhythms and what not, why not substitute for candy? 1. Large Group Call and Response Students have no end of creativity, especially when it is relateable. Give them the opportunity to come up with their own candy. Toss a ball back and forth. When it lands on (NAME), sing the name of the student and then have that student come up with a candy. Have the class sing the last line! If you don’t have a ball, play the game “Stella-Ella-Olla” style. Grab the Lyric slide and the sheet music for the game HERE. 2. Large Group Form Composition A popular way to teach form is the hamburger method or the cake method. Why not use candy? Have student volunteers assign candy to form and then practice the rhythms. For example, if “A” equals Gummy Bear, “B” is Cotton Candy, and then “C” is for Ice Cream, create a rondo form like this: 3. Candy Rhythm Builder Centers Activity This activity is easy prep. Print, cut and go! Have students compose a rhythm and then clap or play it. Use as an early-finisher activity or for assessments. Click HERE for your own copy.