Here is our seventh post in our 12 Months of Montessori Series! I can’t believe we are already here! We had so much fun focusing on musical instruments and really went all out with our lessons, games, activities and free printables using Montessori as our inspiration.

In this post, you will read about how we learned to sort, label, recognize, discriminate and even play some of the many musical instruments that there are! Don’t forget to download an awesome free printable we have for you!

Sorting Musical Instruments

I made a set of printables with: the four categories musical instruments fall into (percussion, string, brass and woodwind) as well as cards with instruments that fall into these categories.

Next, I printed this set in color and laminated the cards with a thermal laminator. These are the laminating pouches that have worked for us the best (and they have a very affordable price).

Lastly, I cut the cards and categories. I placed the categories at the top of our mat and explained what each category means. We talked about each instrument and, based on our information on what constitutes each category, we placed them under the correct column. We also used this ebook for information. It was very helpful.

~~~ Key ~~~

Percussion: castanets, cymbals, Chinese drum, drums set, maracas, tambourine, xylophone, grand piano

Brass: bugle, French horn, trombone, trumpet, harmonica

Woodwind: saxophone, clarinet, flute, recorder, oboe

String: violin, balalaika, banjo, cello, guitar, grand piano

~~~   ~~~   ~~~

Why did I include more percussion instruments compared to the rest? I find that this category is so diverse that it may be confusing to label or sort percussion instruments. I included a great variety to show this precise diversity. It is also important to point out that the piano fall under BOTH percussion and string instrument.

Here is a fantastic poster and a placemat to use as a reference. Click on the poster and placemat for more information.

These cards can also be used in the classic Montessori form as 3-part cards. In which case, you would print the set TWICE in color and cut one set of cards with the instrument names attached and in the second set, you separate the instrument graphic and name for matching purposes.

Labeling & Matching Musical Instruments

The second activity we did was match up the miniature musical instrument replicas with the free printable cards.

     

It was fun and easy to do. We paid attention to details on the cards and replicas, especially with instruments that look alike (like the bugle and the trumpet).

     

You can find these true-to-life miniature musical instrument replicas HERE.

Recognizing Musical Instruments

The third activity we did to really “bring this lesson home” was play the fly swatter game. I asked each of my children to pick 3 instrument cards and I taped all six cards to the wall using magic tape so it doesn’t damage the wall paint. You can also use double-sided mounting tape.

At first, we used only one fly swatter and took turns using it. I would say, “Swat the….” and the child with the fly swatter would find that instrument and swat it. You can use the ideas I listed in the free printable for this.

Once they both got a hang of how the game is played and they recognized the musical instruments, I handed each child a fly swatter. They both participated at the same time. It was fantastic! This fly swatter game helps children with eye-hand coordination, discrimination, recognition, speed, agility, memory and so many other great skills.

It would be pertinent to point out that I found a better way of putting the cards up and switching them out, especially since my children have been playing this daily since we did the lesson.

I got out our clear wall pocket chart and hung it on our wall. We also have a tabletop pocket chart that we can use. This pocket chart ideas was certainly much easier for little hands and it was fostering more independence (they don’t need me to cut the magic tape for them anymore).

Montessori at home Music: Sorting & Labeling Musical Instruments {Free Printable}

Grab your printable here!

Here are some other Music-related posts! Don’t miss them!

Music Fort How-to

Musical Notes Paper Craft Ideas {Free Printable}

Check out some other fantastic blog posts on Montessori Music!

Natural Beach Living ~ The Natural Homeschool ~ Living Montessori Now ~ Planting Peas

The Kavanaugh Report ~ Mama’s Happy Hive ~ Study at Home Mama ~ Child Led Life

Every Star Is Different ~ Grace and Green Pastures ~ The Pinay Homeschooler

 

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