You are looking at a finely tuned “ Dr. Seuss Percussion Plane”. It makes noise or shall I call it music? A week ago, out of the school folder came a new project sheet. My heart rate rose and I cringed knowing the implications it may have on my immediate future. Immediately, I was transported back in time to 5th grade when I too was responsible for the creation of an innovative musical instrument. To this day, I remember my father slicing pieces of bamboo at an angle and nailing them together to create “my” one of a kind project. I had little to do with any of its creation and it looked so realistic, it could have been used as an authentic prop for the movie, “The Mission”. The project sheet would sit on the fridge for a week, awaiting its number to come up. It would be filed in front of the dreaded group project that would soon follow it. At least this project had half a chance, as it would cater to my son’s introverted learning style. With my childhood instrument debacle swirling in my head I would make a vow that this would be purely his creation. I would not be completing it long after his bedtime. Despite this vow, I spent my day contemplating things that make noise just in case he dropped the ball on this one. He would come off the bus grab a snack out of the fridge and pull his project sheet from under a magnet. Had my son thought of this project at all despite the bold reminder of it every time he opened the fridge? Any slacker worries were abated as he tore apart the garage, and the kitchen cabinets for noise making treasure. He would look to the Mecca location for project toppers in the junk drawer for the instrument’s finishing touches. The drum would start to take shape, equally as inane as it was noisy. Dr Suess would be proud of the chaotic design and I would chuckle as it came to fruition. My son’s chaos filled head was in full creation mode and I stood by to assist with a hammer, a box cutter and duct tape. The instrument would serve as a table centerpiece and the dinner conversation would ponder whether there really is any difference between pitch and frequency. I still couldn’t tell but perhaps this instrument holds the truth. Once again, fifth grade has brought us together. This creation may beckon the Lorax, but consider it today’s ordinary miracle.
1 Comment
3/30/2012 12:05:33 pm
Ha! Love it! Pete's project brings me back in time - not only with my kids, but with you and your brothers as well! I remember glue sticks, scissors and, of course, the magic, thick oak tag that was used for a myriad amount of things.Kids projects are a great way to clean out your garage. Hope he got an A.:)
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