Rain Stick

Minnesota 9-12 Visual Art Standards
Used in this Lesson

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
  • 1A. Analyze how the elements of visual art including color, line, shape, value, form, texture and space; and principles such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are combined to communicate meaning in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1b. Evaluate how the principles of visual art such as repetition, pattern, emphasis, contrast and balance are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to visual artworks.

  • 1c. Analyze how the characteristics of Western and non-Western styles, movements, and genres in art contribute to the creation of, presentation of, or response to artworks.

  • 1d. Apply understanding of the health and safety issues related to creating in art.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
  • 2a. Integrate the characteristics of the tools, materials and techniques of a selected media in original artworks to support artistic purposes.

  • 3. Demonstrate understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts that influence the arts areas.
  • 3a. Analyze how visual artworks influence and are influenced by personal, social, cultural or historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities.

  • 3b. Synthesize and express an individual view of the meaning and functions of visual art.
  • 4. Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 4a. Create a single, complex artwork or multiple artworks to express ideas.

  • 4b. Revise artworks based on artistic intent and using multiple sources of critique and feedback.

  • 5. Perform or present in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 5a. Present, exhibit, publish or demonstrate collections of artworks for different audiences and occasions.

    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Music
  • Native American Art and Culture
    • Rainsticks are lovely-sounding instruments that are believed to have originated centuries ago in Chile. Native South American tribesmen would harvest dead branches from cactus plants, fill them with small pebbles and cap the ends. During rituals that were intended to implore their gods to send rain, they would tilt the branch, causing the pebbles to trickle down through sharp thorns to imitate the sound of falling rain. No two Rain Sticks are the same and the decoration is unique to each artist.

    The teacher demonstrates how to roll slabs and make a closed cylinder in clay. Students are to use rolled-out slabs of clay to make a cylindrical rainstick with clay spikes inserted in a spiral pattern around the stick. Clay pebbles, bundled in a small paper sack are placed in the stick, which is then sealed. The rainstick is decorated with a low-relief and/or carved design.

    Evaluation:
    4 points -- Quality Workmanship (seams are tight, edges smooth, spike inserts are covered, ect.)
    2 points -- Has a Flat Base (self-supported)
    3 points -- Added or Carved Decoration
    1 point -- Ventilation hole

    10 points total.

    Click here to hear the ceramic rain stick.

    "Bamboo" Rainstick above by Megan H.


    Steps to make Rainsticks:

  • 1. Beads (style of your choice) Fill one small container. (containers are on the front table)

  • 2. Cylinder (longer is better)

  • 3. Slab (roll using roller and slab sticks)

  • 4. Fill & Close (wrap beads in towel, then put in side cylinder. Attach a slab on both ends and seal it tight)

  • 5. Spikes (roll to look like nails {point on one end, flat head on the other}. Cover the heads to keep them soft while letting the pointed ends harden.) (approx. 20 for a 12" cylinder)

  • 6. Insert spikes (poke holes with the end of a paintbrush or pencil) and smooth the surface. Gently roll the cylinder on table for a smoother finish.

  • 7.Decorate (carved or added details) Poke a ventilation hole in one end.