Four Corners: Let's Make Music
Four corners Series
What’s inside...
Let's Make Music encourages children to create music using simple homemade instruments like bottle shakers and bowl drums, and to experiment with tunes on bottle pipes. Four Corners provides a cross-curricular resource covering science, history, geography, and mathematics linked to National Curriculum Programmes for Study and the 5-14 Guidelines for Scotland. The series features engaging writing, high-quality photography, and topics that interest and motivate children. Each title includes teaching support with activities and links to various subjects. Materials are easy to use and come with laminated teaching support and activity cards, with additional support for parents and homework activities in the Teacher's Files. iOpeners equips K-6 students with the skills and strategies to comprehend nonfiction, enabling them not only to learn to read but also to read to learn.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
14 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What instruments did you see in the book, and which one would you like to learn to play?
How did the music make the characters feel in the story?
Can you think of a time when music made you feel happy, sad, or excited?
Why do you think music is important for the people and animals in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express how different songs or music styles make them feel. Share your own experiences with music and how it affects your mood. Consider exploring real musical instruments or creating simple ones at home to deepen their understanding. Relate the story's themes to everyday situations, emphasizing how music can be a part of various aspects of life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation
Explanation: The characters in 'Four Corners: Let's Make Music' work together to create a song, showing how collaboration brings harmony.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in their community, learning that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters experiment with different sounds and instruments, demonstrating the joy and freedom of creative expression.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore their own creative interests, whether it is through music, drawing, or storytelling, fostering a sense of self-expression.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The characters face challenges in finding the right tune but they keep trying, teaching the importance of perseverance in achieving goals.
Real-World Application: Children learn to keep trying in their endeavors, be it learning a new skill or solving a difficult puzzle, understanding that effort leads to achievement.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Music
Explanation: The book showcases a variety of musical instruments and styles, instilling an appreciation for music and its cultural significance.
Real-World Application: This lesson can lead children to explore different types of music and perhaps learn to play an instrument, enhancing their cultural knowledge and auditory skills.
Example Lesson: Listening Skills
Explanation: As the characters in the story listen to each other's musical contributions, they learn the importance of listening carefully.
Real-World Application: This can translate to better listening skills in real life, helping children in their interactions at school and at home, leading to improved communication and understanding.