Grade 2 Unit 4 Newsletter

Grade 2 Unit 4 How the world works- Materials

The Grade 2 students finished Unit 4 “Properties of materials influence musical sound” by comparing the wooden xylophone and the metal glockenspiel. The role of the mallets' material make up was evaluated and compared as well. The solid plastic mallet and the softer padded mallet were played interchangeably on the two instruments and the students noted the results. Sound production properties and characteristics of other instruments were investigated also and were categorized into Membranophones: any instrument in which the sound is produced by means of a vibrating membrane, Aerophones: any instrument in which the sound is produced by means of moving air, Idiophones: any instruments in which a resonant solid material—such as wood, metal, or stone—vibrates to produce the initial sound, or Chordophones: any instrument in which a stretched, vibrating string produces the initial sound. Students practiced and applied their understanding of traditional notation (MU3.2.A) in musical writing activities. The students sang and played Tortoise tune on the glockenspiel using appropriate dynamics and interpretation (MU1.2.C) in large and small groups (MU1.2.F1) and were able to transfer their practiced skills to sight reading simple rhythmic sequences in traditional notation (MU3.B2.1).