Implementation of ‘Creating your own music’ (SOI-MT-550)

Author: Donna Bugeja, Learning Support Educator, Malta

Abstract/Introduction

My name is Donna Bugeja, a Learning Support Educator in a primary school. With a bachelor’s degree in special education, I’m dedicated to helping students with diverse needs succeed. I work closely with teachers and parents to create a supportive environment where every child can thrive. Compassionate and committed, I’m passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential.

In implementing the learning scenario focused on exploring musical instruments through Europeana and documenting creations with tablets, I aimed to create an engaging and interdisciplinary learning experience for 8-year-old children in a primary school setting. The context involved integrating elements of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education with music and history, fostering creativity, environmental awareness, and technological literacy. Through hands-on activities, such as crafting musical instruments from recycled materials and using tablets for documentation, students were encouraged to explore historical musical artefacts, collaborate with their families, and reflect on their creative process. The implementation involved a group of students working collaboratively with their families, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. By blending traditional crafting with digital documentation and exploration of cultural heritage, the implementation aimed to provide a holistic and meaningful learning experience for the participants.

The Narrative

I started by introducing Europeana to the children. I explained that it’s a website packed with cultural gems from Europe, such as pictures, videos, and documents. Additionally, I showed them around the website to get them familiar with it. After the introduction was finished, we talked about how people have been making music for a long time, we had a fun discussion about all the different kinds of instruments that people used in the past. We even got to look at some cool pictures of these old instruments on the Europeana portal! It was like taking a trip back in time to see what music was like a long time ago. We learned that instruments have changed a lot over the years, just like how toys have changed. It was super interesting!

Activity 1 – Creating Musical Instruments

Families were invited to school for a fun STEM activity where they could get creative with their children. The task was to make musical instruments from recycled materials like cardboard tubes, plastic bottles, and tin cans.

Before they got started as part of a science lesson, we talked about the 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – and why they’re important for taking care of the environment.

Once everyone understood, they were excited to begin crafting. Some families kept it simple, making shakers from old plastic bottles filled with beans. Others went for more complex designs, like building guitars out of cardboard boxes and rubber bands.

As families worked together, you could hear laughter and conversations all around. It was great to see everyone having fun and experimenting with different materials. And when they finished making their instruments, you could see the pride on their faces.

Through this activity, families gained hands-on experience in creating musical instruments from recycled materials, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Discussions about sustainability and the 3 Rs provided an understanding of environmental responsibility. Family bonding was strengthened as parents and children collaborated on their projects, leading to a sense of achievement and pride in their creations.

Activity 2 – Show and Tell

The next day, children were encouraged to talk about the musical instruments they had created during the STEM activity. This gave them a chance to talk about what they made and how they did it. It was a cool way for them to feel proud of their work and learn from each other. They got to see all the different ideas and ways their friends used recycled stuff to make music. It was a fun way to show off their creativity and remind them about recycling too.

Activity 3 – Writing Task

The next activity was designed as part of the English writing lesson with the aim of encouraging children to use and become more familiar with their tablets, making use of technology in an educational context. In this engaging exercise, children were tasked to take photos of their instruments using their tablets. Not only did this activity foster their creativity and technical skills, but it also served as an opportunity for them to document their creations. Additionally, they were prompted to write down instructions and list the materials needed to construct their instruments. This combination of hands-on crafting, digital photography, and written documentation provided a well-rounded learning experience, blending creativity with technology.

Activity 4 – Expressing feelings through music.

In this lesson, we explored how music can express emotions. Children listened to different songs (such as this one) and shared how the music made them feel. We created a safe space where everyone’s feelings were valued.

After listening to each song, we discussed together. Some felt happy, while others felt sad or calm. We talked about what parts of the music made them feel that way, like fast beats or soft melodies.

To wrap up, we encouraged the children to express their own emotions through music. They used their own instrument to do this activity. This activity helped them understand how music can be a powerful way to share feelings. Overall, it was a fun and meaningful way to explore the connection between music and emotions.

Outcomes

Exploring Musical Instruments Through Europeana

• Understand the history and cultural significance of music.
• Develop creative problem-solving skills through hands-on instrument crafting.
• Gain awareness of environmental responsibility through recycling and reuse practices.
• Strengthen family bonds through collaborative project work.

Capturing Creativity: Documenting Musical Instruments with Tablets

• Enhance technological literacy through tablet usage.
• Practice communication skills by documenting creations with written instructions.
• Integrate STEM principles with technology to create a comprehensive learning experience.

Conclusion

To make the lesson better next time, I’ll focus on increasing interactivity during Europeana exploration, offering a wider array of recycled materials for crafting, and ensuring clear instructions and support for families. I’ll encourage collaboration among participants, allow for deeper reflection after activities, and personalize learning experiences for children. I’ll gather feedback for continual improvement, incorporate informal assessment methods, and remain flexible to participants’ needs. I’ll pursue ongoing professional development to refine my teaching practices and keep the lessons engaging and effective.

Link to the learning scenario implemented: Creating your own music (EN-CUR-168)

Do you want to discover more stories of implementation? Click here.

CC BY 4.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Museum of Ethnography.