Week of January 2nd, 2017

TRIANGLES!

This week in music class, we enjoyed learning all about the "triangle", a musical instrument from the idiophone category. Idiophones are instruments that create sound through the vibration of a string or membrane. We learned today that triangles vibrate and are made of metal. When we hold them by their string, they can vibrate freely when we hit them with the metal "striker." We worked on tapping each of the three sides, as well as using the striker in a circular motion on the inside of the triangle, like a dinner bell!

Check out the pictures and song lyrics below. Also, check your cubbies and email this week for an important announcement about my maternity leave!

Hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and enjoy! 

PS--due to low holiday attendance on Monday, toddler and four-year-old classes have been rescheduled for later this week!

1,2,3

To the tune of "Three Blind Mice"

1,2,3 (Hitting sides of triangle)

1,2,3

Sides you see

Sides you see

The triangle makes such a lovely sound!

Raise it up high and then towards the ground (Raise triangle high and low)

Make your striker go round and round it, (Go around triangle with striker in circular motion)

1, 2, 3.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD

1) How many sides does the triangle have?

2) What is it made of?

3) Do you like the sound the triangle makes?

Week of November 18th, 2013

TRIANGLES!

What a fun day we had today learning about triangles and "idiophones"! 

What in the world is an idiophone? Well, it is an instrument that produces sound through vibration alone when it is struck by a mallot, striker or another method. Well, all instruments produce vibrations, correct? Yes, that is right! But idiophones do not use strings or a membrane (i.e., drum head) to conduct the vibration in a chamber.  Instead, the body of the instrument itself conducts the sounds!

Examples of idiophones we looked at today: marimbas, kalimbas, bells, chimes, xylophones and of course, the triangle!

Scrolll down for some fun pics, videos and questions that you can ask you child about our day! (And don't miss the fun videos from the infant and fours class below!)

The infants enjoyed "The Grand Old Duke of York" today, along with some other fun animal bouncing songs! Check back soon for more videos and lyrics!



QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD TODAY:

1. What instrument did you use today in music class? The triangle
2. What are some ways you can use the triangle? It vibrates, so you need to hold the string to hear the sound well. We used the striker or the metal rod to hit the triangle to produce sound. We also tried touching or muting the triangle to stop the vibration, and rang the striker in a circular motion inside the instrument, similar to what you might associate with a "dinner time call" like the one below! :)

3. Do you remember the word "idiophone"?