Submitted by Connie Herbon, Iowa

Idea posted August 4, 2003

We have an "Event Day" at the end of our April reading month, and I volunteered to be in charge of the Musical Chairs room. (I knew that by doing it myself, I'd have control of the rules.)

We played it with the circle of chairs turned outward. When someone was eliminated, a chair was turned inward for them, as to be kept in the circle. I put a can of my most brightly colored rhythm sticks in the center of the circle, so eliminated students could grab a pair and play the beat with the music, if they wished.

It was interesting to note that, while some would battle "to the bitter end" to be victorious and get a sticker, others passed up chances at a chair just to get at the rhythm sticks! All seemed to enjoy themselves, and that was the main objective, of course.