A Different Drum Subject: Math, Music, Science Grade: 3-5, 6-8

Brief Description

Students invent musical instruments.

Objectives

Students learn about the properties of sound.

Keywords

instrument, invention, pitch, sound, sound waves, vibration, volume

Materials Needed

• The Virtual Museum of Music Inventions
• Making a Musical Instrument, online or printed and distributed to students
• From Frying Pan to Flying V: The Rise of the Electric Guitar, optional
• a variety of craft materials, such as heavy cardboard tubes, wooden boxes, metal tubes, plastic tubes, scrap wood, metal scraps, old guitar strings, old pot covers, flower pots, plastic cups, fishing wire, rice, beans, glue, nails, tape, paint, and glitter

Lesson Plan

• Encourage students to explore How is Sound Made?
• Have students complete the experiments in Tips for Teachers to learn about vibration, pitch, and volume.
• Print and distribute directions for Making a Musical Instrument, and ask students to complete the activity.

Assessment

Use Suggested Rubrics for the Musical Instrument to evaluate student work.

Lesson Plan Source

The Virtual Museum of Music Inventions

Submitted By

Linda Starr

National Standards

Fine Arts:
  NA-M.K-4.2
  NA-M.K-4.3
  NA-M.K-4.6