Homegrown Beats: Build & Jam Your Instrument!

3rd Grade

Project
4 weeks

Homegrown Beats: Build & Jam Your Instrument!

Lauren Hayes

FA.M.3.1B

FA.M.3.3A

FA.M.3.4A

FA.M.3.4B

FA.M.3.4C

Purpose

This project aims to cultivate students' creativity and understanding of music by encouraging them to design and construct their own instruments using everyday materials. Through hands-on exploration and collaboration, students will develop an appreciation for the science of sound and the cultural diversity of musical instruments. By composing and performing original songs, students will enhance their musical skills and gain confidence in their ability to express themselves through music.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of sound production by categorizing and explaining musical sounds from homemade instruments and comparing them to traditional instruments. They will enhance their musical skills by composing and performing rhythmic and melodic phrases, using improvisation techniques. Through hands-on creation and collaboration, students will build problem-solving skills, creativity, and resourcefulness while engaging with community partners to explore materials and construction methods. The project will culminate in students showcasing their instruments and compositions, reflecting on their learning journey and the impact of their creations.

Standards

FA.M.3.1B - categorize and explain a variety of musical sounds, including those of woodwind, brass, string, percussion, and instruments from various cultures
FA.M.3.3A - sing or play classroom instruments with accurate intonation and rhythm independently or in groups
FA.M.3.4A - create rhythmic phrases through improvisation or composition
FA.M.3.4B - create melodic phrases through improvisation or composition
FA.M.3.4C - create simple accompaniments through improvisation or composition.

Products

Students will create unique musical instruments using everyday materials, showcasing their creativity and understanding of sound. Throughout the project, they will compose original songs and rhythmic phrases, using their homemade instruments to perform individually and in groups. The final product will be a collaborative soundscape installation, where each student's instrument and composition contribute to a collective musical experience, demonstrating the diverse sounds and musical skills developed during the project.

Launch

The project kicks off with a 'Materials Mystery Hunt,' where students explore the classroom and schoolyard to gather everyday items that could be transformed into musical instruments. This activity stimulates curiosity and creativity, encouraging students to think outside the box about sound production. As they collect materials, they will begin to consider how different objects can be used to create unique sounds and rhythms, setting the stage for their instrument design and composition journey.

Exhibition

Students will host an open house event where they showcase their homemade instruments and perform original compositions for classmates, family members, and community partners. The event will feature a collaborative soundscape installation, allowing attendees to experience the diverse range of sounds and rhythms created by the students. This exhibition will celebrate the students' creativity, resourcefulness, and musical achievements, providing an opportunity for them to explain their design choices and the musical concepts they've explored.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Project Launch - Organize a 'Materials Mystery Hunt' where students explore the classroom and schoolyard to gather everyday items for creating instruments, sparking creativity and resourcefulness (45 min) Sound Exploration - Introduce the science of sound by demonstrating how different materials produce various pitches and tones, encouraging students to categorize and explain these sounds in relation to standard musical instruments (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed 'Materials Mystery Hunt' with a collection of potential instrument-making materials. 2. Reflection Journal entry documenting the materials found and initial ideas on how they might be used to create sounds.
Preparation	1. Organize the classroom and schoolyard for the 'Materials Mystery Hunt' to ensure safety and maximize material variety. 2. Communicate with the local recycling center to arrange the delivery of additional recyclable materials. 3. Prepare a brief introduction to the science of sound, focusing on how vibrations create sound, to guide students during the material exploration. 4. Create a list of discussion questions to help students categorize materials based on sound properties, such as pitch and tone.

Week 2	Day 1
Activities	Sound Exploration - Experiment with different household materials to explore how they produce sound, categorizing them into woodwind, brass, string, and percussion families (30 min) Material Sound Documentation - Document findings in a sound journal, noting how each material's sound compares to traditional instruments (20 min) Peer Sharing Session - Share sound discoveries with classmates, discussing potential materials for instrument creation (20 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Reflect on the sound exploration process and insights gained about sound production (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed instrument prototype with a detailed description of the materials used and sound categorization. 2. Reflection Journal entries summarizing the week's activities, including sound exploration and composition exercises.
Preparation	1. Gather additional recyclable materials from the local recycling center for students who might need more options. 2. Coordinate with the local hardware store to ensure students have access to safe tools and materials for instrument construction. 3. Prepare a sound comparison chart for students to document and categorize the sounds of their prototypes against traditional instruments. 4. Set up designated areas for group workshops to facilitate collaboration and sharing among students.

Week 3	Day 1
Activities	Instrument Construction - Begin assembling instruments using collected materials, focusing on creating unique sounds and categorizing them based on traditional instrument types (45 min) Sound Testing and Adjustment - Test the sound quality of the instruments, making adjustments to enhance pitch and tone as needed (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Reflection Journal entry documenting weekly progress and insights gained from the instrument-making process. 2. Categorization chart of musical sounds produced by homemade instruments compared to standard instruments. 3. Improvised rhythmic and melodic phrases composed in groups using homemade instruments. 4. Compilation of peer feedback on instruments and compositions, with notes on suggested improvements.
Preparation	1. Gather a variety of musical samples from standard instruments for comparison during the sound exploration session. 2. Prepare materials for group workshops, including rhythm and melody templates to guide composition activities. 3. Organize a space for peer review sessions with designated areas for instrument exchange and feedback collection. 4. Provide Reflection Journals and prompts to guide students in documenting their progress and reflections.

Week 4	Day 1
Activities	Final Instrument Refinement - Students make final adjustments to their instruments, ensuring sound quality and functionality are optimal for performance (30 min) Composition Practice - Students rehearse their original compositions, focusing on intonation, rhythm, and collaboration within their groups (30 min) Peer Feedback Session - Exchange instruments and compositions with peers for constructive feedback, focusing on sound quality and creativity (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised and fully functional homemade instrument 2. Refined musical composition 3. Performance at the Showcase Day event 4. Completed Reflection Journal documenting the project journey
Preparation	1. Secure a venue for the Showcase Day event with ample space for performances and the soundscape installation. 2. Arrange for necessary audio-visual equipment to enhance the presentation of performances, such as microphones and speakers. 3. Coordinate with community partners to attend the Showcase Day event as guests and potential judges for feedback. 4. Prepare certificates of participation for students to receive at the conclusion of the Showcase Day. 5. Ensure all materials for final instrument adjustments are readily available in the classroom for student use.