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Building Connections Through Music-Based Learning Centers

Creating Activities

By: Suzanne L. Burton, Ph. D.
University of Delaware

When designing the learning center, the desired learning goals for your students should be identified and provide the framework for the center. In the following type of center the overall desired outcomes for children in early elementary grades include: a) to develop musical response through recorded music and props, b) to develop an understanding of the physical properties of making sound through experimentation and creation of musical instruments, c) to create musical compositions, d) to have opportunities to informally read printed music and read about music, e) to respond to music through creative writing, and f) to respond to music through drawing, painting, coloring, or other visual art forms. Once the outcomes have been determined, the next step is creating activities.

A variety of activities can be created to meet the desired outcomes (see Figure 1). To develop a musical response through recorded music and props, a tape player, streamers or scarves and several types of recorded music should be made available for children to respond freely to. Writing paper, drawing paper, pencils, markers, crayons, and paint provide additional creative opportunities for children to respond to music. Items such as large canning jars of which children can pour water into and play with a mallet or kitchen utensils is a good way to explore sound. To create instruments, prototypes such as maracas and drums can be provided for exploration with small coffee cans, film canisters, rice and beans for creating drums and shakers placed nearby. After creating their own instruments, children may want to use them to create their own musical compositions or to accompany poems or stories. Large musical staff paper for children to notate their compositions or cassettes and a tape-recorder can be provided for preservation of their musical product. For informal reading experience, songs that are notated and recorded, books of familiar songs, and books about music are good resources.

Figure 1
Learning Goals and Materials

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