**Lesson Plan: Making of Maracas**
**Grade**: Primary 2
**Subject**: Basic Tech
**Duration**: 40-45 minutes
**Objective**: Students will learn how to create a simple musical instrument (maracas), understand basic concepts of sound and rhythm, and develop fine motor skills.
**Materials Needed**:
- Small plastic bottles with caps (1 per student)
- Dry rice, beans, or lentils
- Colorful construction paper or markers
- Glue
- Tape
- Scissors
- Stickers (optional)
- Small funnels (optional)
### Lesson Plan Outline
**1. Introduction (5 minutes)**
- Greet the students and introduce the topic.
- Show a finished maraca to the students and demonstrate how it sounds.
- Explain that maracas are instruments that create sound when shaken, often used in music and dance.
**2. Discussion (5 minutes)**
- Briefly explain the science behind maracas:
- Sound: Sound is created by vibration.
- When you shake the maracas, the dry beans/rice inside hit the walls of the plastic bottle, creating sound.
- Ask students if they can think of other objects that make sounds when shaken (e.g., a box full of small toys, a cup with pebbles).
**3. Instructions on How to Make Maracas (5 minutes)**
- Explain the steps to create their own maracas:
1. Decorate the plastic bottle with construction paper, markers, and stickers as desired.
2. Use a funnel (if available) to pour some dry rice, beans, or lentils into the bottle. Fill about 1/4 of the bottle.
3. Secure the bottle cap tightly with tape to ensure the contents don’t spill out during shaking.
**4. Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)**
- Distribute materials to each student.
- Walk them through each step, offering help as needed:
- First, decorate the bottle.
- Next, pour the dry rice, beans, or lentils into the bottle.
- Finally, secure the cap tightly with tape.
- Ensure students work safely, especially when using scissors and glue.
**5. Testing & Sharing (5 minutes)**
- Allow students to shake their maracas and listen to the sounds they make.
- Encourage them to experiment with different shaking patterns and rhythms.
**6. Clean-Up (5 minutes)**
- Instruct students to gather any scraps or unused materials and tidy up their work areas.
**7. Conclusion (5 minutes)**
- Summarize the lesson by asking students what they learned about sound and rhythm.
- Congratulate the students on their creative work.
- Optional: Have a short music session where everyone plays their maracas together, following a simple rhythm.
**Assessment:**
- Observe students’ participation and engagement during the activity.
- Assess their ability to follow instructions and complete their maracas.
- Listen to students share their thoughts on the sounds they created.
**Extension Activity:**
- If time allows, discuss how different materials inside the maracas (beans vs. rice) create different sounds. Let students try swapping contents to explore further.
**Home Connection:**
- Encourage students to share and demonstrate their maracas with family members at home and explain what they learned about sound and rhythm.
**Teacher Reflection:**
- Reflect on what went well and what could be improved for future lessons.
- Note any students who may need additional support or challenges in future activities.