X is for Xylophone!

Today we did some xylophone activities to learn about the letter X and make some music. Keep scrolling to see what we did, or click on one of the links below to revisit similar themes from the past.

X is for X-Ray - 2015

The Letter X - 2014

Music - 2012

Forming the Letter

Instead of worksheets today I provided Sweet E with various materials, and invited her to create an X out of each one.

Sometimes she had them straightened out, like a cross or lowercase t, so we practiced making lots of X's! We used gems, craft sticks, playdoh, stickers, pipe cleaners, and a stamp!

Create a Pattern + Play a Song

I printed out an empty music staff, and provided Sweet E with her xylophone and pom poms to match each color on it.

Then I created a pattern (ABC ABC) for her to play!

Then she wanted to do all the notes. So she named each color as she played each one.

Finally she was ready to build her own pattern and song! AB AB was first.

Then I created a nice major chord with an ABCD ABCD pattern.

We had fun making lots of variations. Here's an ABBC ABBC pattern she made.

And then she placed random pom poms, which turned out to be nice songs too!

Build a Xylophone - Smallest to Largest

We compared sizes again today, by building a xylophone out of paper strips.

I asked her which piece was the smallest, and showed her how to place it on the xylophone. Then we continued looking for the smallest until there were none left.

Then she glued each piece onto the paper.

Love it!

Connect-the-Dots - Music Notes

For a final quick activity I made a connect-the-dots out of music notes. She needed to connect each by color.

She did a terrific job!

Music

Theme Of The Day: Music

Age: 21 months

Playing Keyboard

I haven't let Honey Pot play with the keyboard in many months. But she always has a good time, so I knew I had to include it in today's unit. It was a nice introduction to today's unit. When she sees music notes, she knows what they are and says "moosic!" So we played around with the keyboard for a little while before making our own instruments!

Here she is really getting into the music!

Musical Balloons

I came across this idea from Play At Home Mom. We had all of the supplies on hand. I filled three balloons - one with pennies, one with medium pasta shells and the last with water. Then Honey Pot and I shook them up and made music! She loved the different sounds that they produced, and was later able to tell me what item was inside of each. "Noooodles!" "Waddey!" I did keep a close eye on her while playing with these...not only would a pop startle her, but the water one would make a huge mess!

Paper Roll Flutes

This fun craft idea came from No Time For Flashcards. Honey Pot wasn't too interested in the craft part of it, and only decorated the tube minimally. So I added a few music notes myself. :) Then I placed the parchment paper and a rubber band over one end of the tube. And voila - a musical instrument! Honey Pot was perfectly content singing "do, do, do" into the tube...but once in a while she blew into it just right and produced the vibration sound. She played with this for quite a while!

Listening To Music

Ever since Honey Pot was born, I have played her music from a playlist I created on Grooveshark. It includes upbeat and playful songs such as "Little Bitty Pretty One" and "Baby Face." I have no pictures, but I played the music for her today. In addition to dancing a little bit, we tried to keep the beat by patting our hands on our laps. She did pretty well!

Musical Water Glasses

I have seen this activity on Pinterest multiple times, but originally found it at Little Page Turners. It is like a homemade xylophone! You just fill glasses with different levels of water, and stir in a little bit of food coloring. As I tinted each cup, Honey Pot told me what color they became. She loved watching them change color! Then I provided her with three utencils, so she could explore the different sounds they make. Super fun!