Learning to Listen

Big Idea: Listening for natural sounds
Date: Tuesday; January 10, 2006
Groups Participating: Northside Boys & Girls Club
Attendance: 12
Materials: A stop watch, and at least three different locations.
Directions: Find a location, close your eyes and concentrate on listening for one whole minute. Try and listen for the furthest, closest, loudest and faintest sounds. Example: The park, inside the gym, and a parking lot.
Associated Concepts: This will help inspire students to
find ideas for musical instruments that are naturally occurring in their environment.
Best Part: Students realize how much effort listening requires. This allows them to become aware of sounds they would normally overlook.
Worst Part: It can be difficult for the students to keep from being distracted for one whole minute.
Improvements: Three distinct locations, try inside and outside. A location of high traffic, and one with little to no traffic. Bring examples of instruments created
when inspired by nature.