What’s in a Name?

By Joy Agre

3 T

What’s in a Name?Reading 3

Some musicians create their own instruments. Bandleader John Phillip Sousa designed the sousaphone, a brass horn worn over the shoulder. Belgian inventor Adolphe Sax combined the clarinet mouthpiece, an oboe keyboard and a brass horn to create his namesake, the saxophone.

What’s in a Name?Question 3

If you could invent a new musical instrument, what would you make?

What would you name it?

How would you play it?

What’s in a Name?Teacher’s Page

Students should first read to themselves then together as a class aloud. Brainstorm and give examples of possible answers to questions together as a class. Then have individuals answer independently.

Maybe have a contest to see whose “dish” or “ice cream flavor” or “instrument” is the class favorite. Incorporate social studies by holding a secret ballot vote for each category.

As an extension see if the students could really create anything they named and bring it to show the class.