Minds On
Music time!
Do you like to listen to music?
Do you like fast music or slow music?
Let’s explore these images of children listening to music.
You can listen to music and put your hands in the air!
You can clap along to music!
You and a friend can dance to music!
Brainstorm
What do you do?
When you listen to music, do you wave your hands in the air? Do you clap your hands? Do you dance?
As you work through this learning activity, you can record your ideas in many ways.
Listen to the following audio recording to learn more about how to record your ideas.
How to Record Your Ideas
Action
Musical instruments
Let’s explore some musical instruments!
Instruments with strings
Some instruments have strings that you play with your fingers, like a guitar.
Explore the following audio clip to hear a guitar.
Guitar
Instruments you drum on
Some instruments have a flat surface that you hit, like a drum or tambourine.
Check out the following audio clip to hear drumming.
Drums
Instruments you tap on with mallets
Some instruments have keys that you tap with small sticks called mallets, like a xylophone.
Check out the following audio clip to hear a xylophone.
Xylophone
Instruments you shake
Some instruments have materials inside that make a sound when you shake them, like maracas or another type of shaker.
Explore the following audio clip to hear a maraca.
Maraca
Pause and Reflect
Your musical experience
- Have you ever played a musical instrument?
- How did you feel?
- What sound did the instrument make?
Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Making your own instrument
Let’s watch the following video called Rocking it as SheBG to learn how to make a musical instrument from TVOKids Host Gabrielle!
How did Gabrielle create her shaker?
Press the Reveal button to access a possible response.
Gabrielle used recycled materials to create her shakers.
Recycled materials
Recycled materials can be any cardboard boxes, metal cans, glass or plastic bottles we use to make something new.
Let’s explore a few examples of instruments we can make using recycled materials or household objects.
We could make a guitar, with an empty cereal box, paper towel roll and elastic bands.
We could use pots turned upside down and spoons to make drums.
You could make a tambourine by putting together two paper plates and adding little bells or bottle caps.
If we fill empty water bottles with beads, it becomes a shaker.
Why might it be a good thing to use recycled materials to make instruments?
- Do you think we could make a xylophone out of recycled materials? What might you use?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice. Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.
Consolidation
Making music
If you could use recycled materials to create your own instrument, what would you make?
What would the instrument sound like?
Could you use the instrument to play slow music or fast music?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.
Try It
Try It
Create your own musical instrument using recycled materials!
Before getting started, ask permission from a trusted adult.
Step 1) Decide which instrument you would like to create.
Step 2) Gather your materials
Step 3) Putting your instrument together.
Step 4) Now, it's time to play!
If possible, practice playing the instrument while listening to a song or create your own song.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Press the button next to the sentence that matches how you feel.
