Making Instruments: Sand-Block Instruments

An excellent project that combines carpentry and rhythm skills.

Objectives

Children ages 3-4 are able to build simple toys FM IV
Children understand spatial prepositions Cog. IIID
Children drive nails into soft materials FM II
Ages 2-2 ½ years have more of a well-developed handedness FM III

Materials

Small blocks of scrap lumber (soft wood) — perhaps 4-6" pieces of 2x4's; sandpaper strips cut to fit over the blocks; long thumbtacks or roofing nails with big heads; hammers. If handles are desired on the sand blocks, smaller soft wood scraps or soft wooden molding can be nailed on the tops.

Procedures

1. Explain to the children that they are going to make musical instruments to be used at their music time. Show them a pair of sand blocks and demonstrate their use by rubbing blocks together briskly and rhythmically. Pass them around for the children to try playing.

2. Ask children each to choose one piece of wood and one piece of sandpaper. Show them how sandpaper fits and folds over edges of wood blocks.

3. Demonstrate nailing the sandpaper first on one side of the block and then on the other. Putting block on side makes hammering easier.

4. Ask children to count out and take 6 nails apiece (3 for each side) and hammer sandpaper to the sides of blocks as shown. Help younger children start nails. Show how to hold block with one hand and hammer with the other.

5. Children can put handles on blocks by measuring lengths of softwood molding to equal the lengths of blocks, marking and sawing molding. Everyone can try sawing. Try C-clamps to secure wood for younger sawers.

6. Help children start nails to attach handles. Handles may also be attaché with white glue, but the instruments can't be used until the next day after the glue dries. Be sure to attach handles to the side of wood not covered by sandpaper.

7. Children could pair off to play their blocks and later bring the blocks to group time to play as accompaniment to songs.