Music Appreciation: Instruments of the Orchestra

Learning about orchestral instruments builds music literacy and appreciation while developing the auditory discrimination skills central to Montessori sensorial work.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Cultural Studies
• Learning area: Art & Music
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Identify instrument families
• Recognize instrument sounds
• Build music vocabulary
• Develop listening skills

Materials

• Instrument picture cards sorted by family (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion)
• Audio recordings of each instrument
• Peter and the Wolf recording
• Sorting mat

Instructions

1. Present four instrument families. 2. Show and name instruments in strings family. 3. Listen to recordings: violin, cello, etc. 4. Repeat for each family. 5. Sort instrument cards by family. 6. Listen to 'Peter and the Wolf'—identify instruments. 7. Discuss: 'Why did the composer choose that instrument for that character?'

Educator tip

Peter and the Wolf is ideal for this lesson—each character has a designated instrument. If possible, attend a live performance.

Assessment

Child sorts instruments into families and identifies instrument sounds in recordings.

More from Cultural Studies

• Personal Timeline: History of Me
• Land, Air, and Water
• Sandpaper Globe
• Puzzle Map of the Continents
• Parts of the Flower
• Parts of the Fish
• First Great Lesson: God With No Hands (The Coming of the Universe)
• Time Line of Life