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.

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.

Access the following audio recording to learn more about how to record your ideas.

How to Record Your Ideas

Action

Making instruments

Materials Needed

Materials needed

Materials needed for this learning activity:

  • recycled materials that can be used to make a musical instrument (examples: cereal box, shoe box, elastics, empty water bottle, toys, etc.)

Musical instruments

Let’s explore the following video to find out how Ping and Friends solve their problem by creating musical instruments.

Explore the following video entitled "The Jamming Jam" to learn more about creating musical instruments.

In the video, Pong said, “I can make music with anything!”

What did Pong and his friends use to make music?

Press ‘Answer’ to find out what Pong and his friends used to make music.

They used pots, spoons, and pans.

It’s fun to make instruments!

Make a list of materials you could use to make instruments.

Could you use recycled materials to make instruments? These are materials that have already been used that can now be used for another purpose. A bottle of water would make a great shaker if you put some beads inside of it!

Why is it a good thing to use recycled materials to make instruments?

Explore the following images for ideas. Record your ideas.

Share your ideas with a partner, if possible.

Now it’s time to make your own musical instrument. Use your list to make an instrument. It can be anything you want!

Consolidation

Making music

You did it! Now explore your instrument.

What does it sound like?

Can you make the instrument play slow music? And fast music?

Did you like making an instrument?

Record your ideas.

Share with a partner, if possible.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Practice using the instruments while singing a song or create your own song.

If possible, trade your instrument with a partner and notice how different or similar it is to yours.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

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.

I feel…

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.