Makerspace-Recycled Instruments - Bertrand Multiple Days 3

Title: Makerspace - Recycled Instruments 

Grade level(s): Kindergarten - 4th grade (elementary setting) 

Time Required: 3-4 days 

Standards: AASL III.B.2 Establishing connections with other learners to build on their own prior knowledge and create new knowledge. 

Materials and/or tools needed: 

• Variety of discarded objects (Ex: cardboard, soda cans, toilet paper rolls, straws, buttons, string, yarn, popsicle sticks, etc.) 
• Pencils 
• Glue and tape (for adhesive assistance) 
• Sketching Paper 

Procedure: 

Day 1: Students will come in and have a seat waiting for instructions. Open up discussions about musical instruments and what makes them create sounds. Have a few books on display about musical instruments (nonfiction). 

Explain as they look through books and discuss instruments that we will be creating instruments from recycled materials. We will focus on sound production, using recycled items, the actual construction of the instrument, and using our imagination while working collaboratively. 

Allow students to break off into groups of 3-4 and hand out sketch paper and pencils. Explain to them that today, they will begin drafting ideas on how to create their own musical instrument. 

Before starting on the sketching, tell students that they can walk over to the tables that have all the recycled materials laid out to view and gather some ideas. Once their group has some ideas of the available materials, they can go back to their seats to begin drafting their design. 

Day 2: Students will return with their sketched ideas. Encourage sharing of the design and the group's thought process behind it. 

Allow students to begin grabbing their materials they will use to create their own instruments and take what is needed back to their area to work together. 

Once instruments are built, have students place their masterpiece on the table to fully dry overnight.  

Day 3: Today students will get to explain their design, demonstrate the sound that comes from their newly created instrument, and visit with the class about how they decided which resources to utilize. 

Physical Set Up: 

Day 1: Have recycled materials and nonfiction books over instruments available for students to interact with. Have blank paper and pencils readily available. 

Day 2: Have the same recycled materials ready as well as the glue and tape to help with pieces items together. 

Day 3: Have the area cleaned up and ready for presentations. 

Extensions: 

Librarians could create a display to house the created musical instruments for others to be able to view throughout the school year. 

Librarian could also invite the music teacher to the presentation day to evaluate the created instruments.