Diaguita Rainsticks

Submitted by: Mary Ellen McWhirter, social science teacher, Solana Beach, CA (San Diego County)
Lesson: Rainsticks

Unit: Art and Music Integration

Grade Level: Middle School

Materials:

• Wrapping paper tubes or Pringles cans

• Toothpicks

• Push pins

• Dried beans

• Rice

• Grocery bags

• White Glue

• Tissue paper

Procedure:

The Diaguita people from Chili made rainsticks from dried cactuses filled with pebbles. When they rattled the pebbles, it sounded like rain falling, which was supposed to remind the forgetful rain gods to make it rain.

I teach social science and tie rainsticks to that work. In order to make them, we save hollow cardboard tubes (usually done after Christmas for wrapping paper tubes - work great).

The first period is one of poking and patterning. Using a push pin, students make a spiral pattern down the length of the tubes which then get toothpicks stuffed in. The toothpicks get pushed through to the other side of the tube. I then have a volunteer take them outside and cut off the excess toothpick wood.

Next period we 'make the rain' by putting a combination of dried beans (heavy rain) and rice (a sort of patter) into the sticks. Students can either shake them or turn them over like an hour glass and hear the rice or beads bounce against the toothpicks on the way down. If students don't like what they hear, they can always add more toothpicks. If you are having them use wooden tubes or even Pringles cans, nails might be more appropriate.

There is no cut-and-dry amount. I stop up one end with cut-up grocery bags and we turn and listen. If the sound is lengthy enough and varied enough, the other end is closed. Step three is the messy/fun part. Using glue and water mix and tissue paper, we make the natural look. We tear the tissue paper and paint them on. I try to encourage a thick coating of this mix (which means a two-day 'paint') but the sound seems to get better.

We have used these rainsticks as part of our school's Earth Week celebration and also as a musical instrument. Easy and fun.

Click on image on the right for full size.