6.16.

2016

GRADE 4 LEARNING ABOUT SOUND WITH DRUMS

Subject & Grade Level

Outcomes

Science Grade 4

Music GCO 4.2.2 Use specific materials, techniques, and forms to create, make and
present music.
Science 303-10 Relate vibrations to sound production.
Science 104-6, 204-1, 204-2 Identify and rephrase questions about ways to change
pitch and loudness in a testable form.

Prepared By
Mr. Richard

Science 104-1, 205-2 Demonstrate processes for solving technological problems by

designing and constructing a device which has the ability to create sounds of variable
pitch and loudness.
Science 206-7 Evaluate personally constructed musical devices with respect to
their ability to vary their pitch and loudness.
Lesson 60 minutes
Intro (5 mins)
-

Students will discover sound through making drums, a popular instrument in Africa.
The teacher will briefly explain how a drum produces sound (through vibration of the material the drum is made
of).

Main Lesson (50 mins)

-

Using materials of their choice, students will build one or more drums, with a base (e.g. using a jar, can or bowl)
and a stretchy part wrapped around the top of it (e.g. using a balloon, paper or cloth).
Students will investigate the type of sound their drum produces. Does it change with different materials? (They
can compare the sound of their drum to those of fellow students). Try varying one variable at a time and see
how the sound changes. What if you hit the drum in a different place? What if you hit it harder or softer? What
if you make the stretchy part tighter or looser? How do different drums which are wider/narrower, or made of
different materials, sound different?
Students can see the sound vibrations by putting beads on the drum as they play it.

Closure/Reflection (5 mins)
-

At the end, there could be a discussion where the teacher asks the students what they learned about the effects
of the different variables on the sound produced, also filling in any they may have missed.

Materials Required
- Cans, jars
- Balloons
- Paper
- Cloth
- Elastics
- Paint, Paintbrushes
- Sticks
- Beads
- Tape
- Scissors
- String
- Wooden bowls
Differentiation
- Choice of materials
- Inquiry based
- Deaf students could still see the
vibrations using the beads.
- Artistically inclined students can paint
it or add other materials like
Assessment
- The teacher will assess the creativity
of the drums and the scientific
approach students use via
observation. Students will also make
notes about their observations of the
different sounds produced when they
change certain variables, which will be
another form of assessment.

Lesson 60 minutes
Extension
-

If students finish early, have them decorate their instrument in more depth.

Cross-Curricular Connections
-

Theres a definite art connection with decorating the drums, and a music connection with using the drums to play
music or beats.

Next Steps
-

Students would be able to use their drums in music class to play songs or keep the beat. There could also be a
social studies investigation on how music and drums fit into African culture, and the handmade drums and the
experience of building them could be incorporated into that for a more direct learning experience.

Reflection
-

Did students discover any variables that cause variation in sound?

Any new, unexpected ones?
Were there any other materials they would have liked to use which werent available?
Did they enjoy the activity?
Was the amount of time given appropriate?

Reference
-

Based on the lesson found here:

http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/other/una4.html