SE 6.04Montessori Bells: Grading and Naming
The child grades eight bells into a scale by ear and learns the names of the notes.
Age 5–6Work 4 of 4 in Auditory
Presentation
- 1
Mix the eight brown bells on the table.
- 2
Strike each one and find the lowest; place it on the left.
- 3
Find the next higher each time and place it to the right.
- 4
Play the scale from left to right, then right to left.
- 5
Give three-period lessons for the note names, three at a time.
- 6
Place the note name cards under the bells.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Play a simple known song on the graded bells.
- Grade the bells with the control set hidden.
- Write the note names on a staff.
Control of error
The control set: comparing each brown bell to the control bell in the same position shows whether the order is correct.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Grades the eight bells from lowest to highest
- Names the notes
- Plays a simple tune