Ada's Violin Read Aloud STEM Challenge Build an Instrument

Connect STEM and Music!

This music STEM activity is designed to support STEM teachers, elementary classroom teachers, homeschooling parents, and after-school programs. It's a great introduction to music and engineering.

In the book Ada's Violin, we learn about the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Señor Chávez and Nicolás Gómez used discarded items to build musical instruments for the children of Cateura. For this STEM challenge, students are encouraged to design and build their own instruments.

After they have completed the challenge there is a writing extension for students to learn more about where Ada grew up. Use the country report page to research the country of Paraguay. Students can make a travel brochure with the information learned.

It's a great companion to Ada's Violin by Susan Hood!

This STEM challenge aligns with NGSS, Common Core, and TEKS.

Materials:

• various recyclables
• rubber bands
• string
• scissors
• tape
• color sticks, crayons, or markers
• Ada's Violin by Susan Hood (optional)

Included:

• Detailed lesson plan
• Easy-to-follow instructions
• Examples
• Vocabulary words (symphony, orchestra, crescendo, landfill)
• Poetry writing extension
• Writing extension
• STEM challenge
• NGSS Standards
• Common Core Standards
• TEKs Standards

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