- large poster board
- pictures of a variety of instruments (glued to sturdy backing)
- blow
- musical instrument
- pluck
- tap
MA Standards:
Mathematics/Measurement and Data/PK.MD.MA.3 Sort, categorize, and classify objects by more than one attribute
MA Draft STE Standards:
Physical Sciences/Matter and Its Interactions/PS1.A Describe, compare, sort and classify objects based on observable physical characteristics, uses, and whether it is manufactured as part of their classroom play and investigations of the natural and human-made world.
Sorting Instruments
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
Prepare a large board for children to see. Divide the board into three rows and label them Pluck, Tap, and Blow. Display pictures of the instruments for children to see. Ask, What is this musical instrument? Do you need to pluck, tap, or blow this instrument to play it? Give children time to name the instrument. Encourage any discussion between children about how the instrument is played. Then say, Yes, this is a drum. You tap the drum to play it. Help children to tape the picture in the “Tap” column. Repeat with the other instruments. Throughout the week, encourage children to review other children’s work and decide if the pictures are in the correct rows. Help children re-place the pictures as they decide.