Bells

From Montessori Album
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Bells
Sensorial - Auditory Sense
Bells.JPG
LevelPrimary
PrerequisitesSilence Game
Materialsset of 26 Montessori bells

The purpose of the activities with the bells is to refine the child's sense of pitch.

Presentations

Carrying a Bell

  1. Show how to carry the bell.
    Hold the stem with one hand.
    The other hand should be held flat to support the bell from underneath.
    1 - Carrying a Bell.JPG
  2. Give the child a turn.

Ringing a Bell

  1. Hold the striker with the fingertips, let it hang downwards.
  2. Swing it gently to hit the side edge if the bell.
    2 - Ringing a Bell.JPG
  3. Give the child a turn.

Using the Mute

  1. step one
    3 - Muting a Bell 1.JPG
  2. next step
    3 - Muting a Bell 2.JPG

Matching Bells

  1. step one
    4 - Matching Bells 1.JPG
  2. next step
    4 - Matching Bells 2.JPG

Grading Bells

  1. Take four tan bells to a table and mix them up.
  2. Start by finding the lowest of the four bells.
    Grading Bells 1.JPG
  3. Slide down the first two bells and ring them to determine which one has the lower pitch.
    Grading Bells 2.JPG
  4. Keep the lower of the two in the middle.
    Slide the higher bell off to the right.
    Grading Bells 3.JPG
  5. Slide down the third bell.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Keep the lower of the two bells in the middle.
    Slide the higher of the two off to the right.
    Grading Bells 4.JPG
  6. Slide down the fourth bell.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Keep the lower of the two bells in the middle.
    Slide the higher of the two off to the right.
    Grading Bells 5.JPG
  7. Put the lowest bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 6.JPG
  8. Slide the remaining bells back up.
    Grading Bells 7.JPG
  9. Slide down the first two of the remaining bells.
    Compare them to see which of the two is lower.
    Grading Bells 8.JPG
  10. Keep the lower of the two in the center.
    Move the higher of the two bells off to the right.
    Grading Bells 9.JPG
  11. Slide down the last bell to the center.
    Compare the two bell to see which of the two is lower.
    Slide the higher of the two bells off to the right.
    You now have the second lowest bell.
    Slide it up to the right of the lowest bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 10.JPG
  12. Slide the remaining two bells to the center.
    Compare to see which of the two is lower.
    Grading Bells 11.JPG
  13. Slide the lower of the two bells up to be the third bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 12.JPG
  14. Slide up the bell that remains (the highest bell) to be the fourth bell in the upper left corner.
    Grading Bells 13.JPG
  15. Ring all the bells in order from left to right to check to see if they are in order from lowest to highest.

Points of Interest

  • The sound of the bells

Control of Error

Variations and Extensions

  • There are several ear-training apps available that would serve as a good substitute for a homeschooled child.

Material

Make Your Own

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
(Amazon/Bookshop are affiliate links, which help cover costs of running the site.)

Set of 13 Pairs of Bells
Store Price
Nienhuis $1033.50
Set of 8 Pairs of Bells
Store Price
Adena $239.95
Affordable Montessori $239.00
IFIT $180.00
Thinkamajigs $239.95
Montessori Concepts
8 bells, rainbow
$85.00
Bell Mallet
Store Price
IFIT $3.00
Nienhuis $5.30
Damper
Store Price
IFIT $3.00
Nienhuis $5.30
Baseboards
Store Price
Nienhuis $45.90
Bells Staff Board
Store Price
Nienhuis $45.60
Staff Board with Notes
Store Price
Nienhuis $31.10
Bell Cabinet
Store Price
Nienhuis $369.60
Bell Cart
Store Price
Montessori Woods $350.00
Handbells
Store Price
Groth $92.95
Musician's Friend $87.99
Groth $77.95
Groth $209.95
West Music
25 bells, black and white
$165.47

Further Reading