Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center, Peterborough NH



Who We Are About The Museum Vision & Mission Family Friendly What's Happening Calendar Upcoming Events Get Involved Make a Gift Become a Member Volunteer Donate an Artifact Things to See Current Exhibit Recent Exhibits YouTube Explore the Museum Explore the World Education Booking a Tour School Teachers Summer Camp How We Work Board Partners Grantors Executive Director Opening Contact Us Hours & Directions Contact E-News Signup Site Map Home		Lesson Plans Music & World Instruments We developed this lesson with 3rd grade teachers from Peterborough Elementary School as part of their unit on sound. We have taught it, or used parts of it, with students at many grade levels. Children and adults love to play the remarkable collection of world instruments on our top floor. We begin as a group talking about the difference between sound and noise and music, and about the places where we hear sound and music in nature. We can talk about sound and what produces it, and how pitch and volume change. What was the first instrument used by humans? Our body - not just the voice, but the whole body. We tell the stories of the didgeridoo, the Native American flute, the talking drum of Africa, the berimbau of Brazil (a stringed instrument that accompanies the camouflaged martial art of capoeira developed by African-American slaves). We then move upstairs where students try out dozens of instruments: everything from a foot-pumped organ down to small flutes, horns and rattles. We may do a rhythm activity together, or ask each child to choose their favorite instrument and play it for the group. Students in 3rd grade have completed a worksheet which asks them to sketch several instruments and identify what they are made of, how the sound is produced (string? air? vibrating skin? etc.) and how it is amplified. You can prepare your class for this lesson by visiting our website to see and listen to the Powerpoint on world music developed by high school students at MC2 in Keene. Essential Questions How is sound produced and changed? How have local materials been used throughout the world to make instruments? What are the different types of musical instruments? What do artifacts such as musical instruments tell us about the people who made them? Skills Listening to sounds and making distinctions of pitch and volume Classifying instruments according to how they make sound Close observation, including drawing, to see how sound is produced and amplified Rhythm: copying a rhythm, unison playing, developing and teaching your own rhythm Content Students will learn about The physics of sound Classification of instruments (stringed / wind / drums / rattles & gongs) The use of natural materials in making instruments - similarities and differences between different cultures and environments The historical significance and cultural use of musical instruments Lesson Plans The Mariposa Museum offers programs on cultures from around the world and on themes that cross between cultures, such as childhood and celebrations. We offer programs for all grade levels K-12. Some are of course more suitable for primary grades, others for middle or high school students. We can adapt most topics to different age groups. When children are raised with respect and curiosity towards other cultures, the world will know more peace and less war. Who We Are \| What's Happening \| Things to See \| Tours \| How We Work \| Admin \| Home \| Contact 26 Main Street ~ Peterborough, New Hampshire ~ 03458 Southern New Hampshire's Year Round Arts Community 603.924.4555 © 2011 Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center. All rights reserved. Top