Music and Sound

We have been studying music and sound. We made a variety of instruments--triangles, guiros, tambourines, drums, clay bells, and banjos. Constructing the instruments provided the children with opportunities to experiment with the concepts we had discussed at meeting time--vibration, volume and pitch. Using different materials-wood, metal, cardboard and plastic--helped us understand the different qualities of these items. Throughout our study, children enjoyed making music and exploring sound with their newly constructed instruments.

Jaeden holds the ukulele the same way she holds her violin.

Julie sings "Little Liza Jane" on her ukulele. She brought four ukuleles to share with us in music class.

Makenna and Shae experiment with sound traveling through the string attached to paper cups. Learning to keep the string tight, but not to tight was a challenge. Children continued experimenting, varying the kinds of sounds--growling, squeking and other silly noises were popular.

After building a stage with Beau and Dennis,

Luke organizes a class orchestra including tambourines, drums and a banjo.

Once everyone is in place, Luke conducts the orchestra using his baton to direct the instruments and vary the speed and volume of the music.

Luke takes a turn using a ukulele in music class with Julie. Before playing the ukuleles, Julie demonstrated the different sounds the ukulele made depending on how many strings were held down, and whether you plucked or strummed.

Julie sings "Little Liza Jane" to an attentive audience.

Luke plays his banjo.