Hummingbird Educational Resources

Lotsa Lesson Plans - INSTRUMENTS

MUSICAL CHIMES
Submitted by Terri
items needed: 8in. dowel rod or a straight stick about 8in.
 bolts of different sizes, string, spoon.
  hang bolts with the string at different lenghts on the stick or dowel rod, then tie a longer piece of string to the top of the stick or dowel rod for holding, use spoon to hit the bolts for a chiming musical or hang in front of a fan for sound or you can also hang outside and let the wind make the music.

BODY BAND
Entice children to use their own body parts as instruments with this idea.  To begin, clap a simple rhythm with your hands; then invite students to join in as you repeat the rhythm.  After a few rounds, begin another body-part rhythm such as foot tapping or thigh- slapping.  Continue in this manner to model a variety of body parts and rhythms.  Then invite each child in turn to lead the class in a body-rhythm pattern.  Afterward, play some lively music, encouraging students to join the band by playing and body instrument they choose.  What beautiful music!

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT _ WAY TOO FUNNY!
Submitted by Mary Ellen
Musical Straws
The catagory of music is a loose application. Kids love to do this because it so shocks grownups. Take straws ( the kind that bend at the top). The straw needs to be put in a body joint. You can use elbows, behind the knee, armpits, even someone else's neck with the chin bent down. Put the bottom of the straw in the joint and blow. You may have to adjust the position but a very satisfying (for children),gassy sound happens. Kids love trying to imitate songs they know with this instrument--if they can stop laughing long enough to blow that is.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Submitted by Sue in NY
Have the children finger paint on a sheet of paper .
Allow to dry and cut out musical note shapes-on the
 circle of the note have the children decorate a face
using wiggly eyes and use a pom pom for the nose help the children draw a smile underneath the nose  Write the
children's names on the staff.
We made these today and they look pretty hanging on the windows of our classroom

Title: Musical Tube
Submitted by Sue in NY
Use paper towel rolls which the children paint using tempera paints.
Alow to dry.
Take aluminum foil which is longer by about
1/3 and put some materials (Macaroni or rice) in
the middle of the sheet  help the children roll up the aluminum foil. Form the foil into an S shape and string
 inside the paper towel roll.  Tape the ends down on
both sides of the roll.  Use colorful streamers to
decorate the two ends of your instrument and have
the children use in a parade or movement activity.

We also read the Story "Crocodile Beat"
and moved like the animals in the
story while lining up to go outside.
 

Title: Lids & Beads Instrument
Submitted by: Cheryl
Collect some metal juice lids.
Use a hammer & a nail or a drill to make holes in the lids. Thread a shoelace or thin cord through the holes adding some wooden (or plastic) beads. Use any order of beads to
lids that you wish. Tie the shoelace (or cord)
ends together to form a small circle to
hold the instrument.

Title: Sandpaper Blocks
Cover one side of two blocks with coarse sandpaper. Have the children hold the blocks in their hands with the sandpaper sides facing. Rub the blocks together to the music.

Title: Triangle
Take clothes hangers and either leave them as they are, or cut and make into small triangles. Tie a string on the top. The triangle needs to be suspeded to make a nice sound. Use metal spoons to tap on them.

Title: Castanets
Use a sturdy piece of cardboard about 1 inch wide 5 inches long. Fold cardboard in haf, glue large button on inside of cardboard ends. Click together to make the sound! Drums

Title: Rattles
Gather 16 oz plastic pop bottles with the tops.  Fill each pop bottle 1/2 way up with rice, beans, sand, etc.  Secure the screw top with glue.

Title: Cardboard Tube Kazoos
Wrap wax paper over one end and secure with rubber band

Title: Rubber Band Guitars
Stretch across a styrofoam tray or shoebox. This works great, you can even tune them!

Title: Paper Cup Maracas
Put a few beans inside then cover the end and secure


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