Bells
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Bells | |
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Sensorial - Auditory Discrimination | |
Level | Primary |
Prerequisites | Silence Game |
Materials | set 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
- 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. - Give the child a turn.
Ringing a Bell
- Hold the striker with the fingertips, let it hang downwards.
- Swing it gently to hit the side edge if the bell.
- Give the child a turn.
Using the Mute
Matching Bells
Grading Bells
- Take four tan bells to a table and mix them up.
- Start by finding the lowest of the four bells.
- Slide down the first two bells and ring them to determine which one has the lower pitch.
- Keep the lower of the two in the middle.
Slide the higher bell off to the right. - 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. - 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. - Put the lowest bell in the upper left corner.
- Slide the remaining bells back up.
- Slide down the first two of the remaining bells.
Compare them to see which of the two is lower. - Keep the lower of the two in the center.
Move the higher of the two bells off to the right. - 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. - Slide the remaining two bells to the center.
Compare to see which of the two is lower. - Slide the lower of the two bells up to be the third bell in the upper left corner.
- Slide up the bell that remains (the highest bell) to be the fourth bell in the upper left corner.
- 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
Where to Buy
Prices and links last checked: 8 July 2020
Bell Cabinet
Nienhuis $358.80
Set of just 8 Pairs of Bells
Adena $224.95
Affordable Montessori $239.00
Thinkamajigs $219.95
Alternative Bells
These are sets of bells that when painted in the Montessori Bell colors could be used. You would need to buy two sets.
Some sets are already black and white corresponding to the keys on a piano. The rainbow colored ones would need to be painted with one set in black and white. The other set should be painted a neutral color such as tan or gray.
Montessori Shaped Bells
Montessori Concepts $85.00 (8 bells, rainbow)
Handbells:
Groth Music $140.00 (13 bells, black and white)
Groth Music $89.00 (13 bells, white)
Musician's Friend $79.99 (13 bells, rainbow)
West Music $150.00 (25 bells, black and white)
Deskbells:
Groth Music $68.95 (13 bells, rainbow)
Further Reading
- Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, page 125-127