Sound Stories
Too Much Noise is a book by Ann McGovern, and I absolutely love making it into a sound story! My lesson plan exposes the students to many Orff instruments (both pitched and non-pitched) and give them an opportunity to play their instrument many times throughout the story. I use this book in grades Kindergarten through 2nd, and it is a hit every time. Several other lesson plans that are sound stories are included on my lesson plan pages of this blog (Froggy books).
Not only does a sound story provide students with an opportunity to perform on & learn about the instruments, it also allows students to experience other ways a book can be read! They explore literature and music together!
To make a sound story with older students, teach the concept of improvisation. I have a couple lesson plans in 3rd grade for improvisation – The Old Woman and Her Pig, The Gingerbread Boy & Jack and Jill. These lessons allow for students to CHOOSE an instrument that makes sense for their character (cow = cowbell, horse = temple blocks, pig = guiros).
101 Rhythm Instrument Activities
This weekend, I have been looking through 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children by Abigail Flesch Connors. This resource has many… well, 101 to be exact… activities and songs to use when introducing young children (my kindergarteners) to the numerous rhythm instruments in the music room. Many activities use favorite children’s songs and change the words to be about playing instruments, specifically the sandblocks, rhythm sticks, jingle bells and shakers. With only being a second year teacher, I have been struggling to find creative ways to introduce my kinders to Orff instruments, correct playing techniques and following directions when having an instrument in hand. I have found some great activities in this book that I know my kids will love.
This book can be purchased on Amazon for $10.17 and has great reviews!
Here is what Amazon.com has in the product description: “The perfect book to introduce rhythm instruments to young children. The activities bring music into the classroom and offer ways for children to participate in the music experience, using rhythm sticks, sand blocks, bells, shakers, and more! Children make the sound of the ocean waves using shakers, pretend to be a train using sand blocks, create a rainstorm with rhythm sticks and perform circus tricks with jingle bells. Plus, they learn to play the instruments along with their favorite songs. 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities is perfect for parents, early childhood teachers and music teachers who work with toddlers through age six.”