1 Matthew always liked science. He knew Mrs. Kim would make the class fun. But today he was confused. Mrs. Kim gave each of her students a rubber band. Then she wrote the words "Music Class" on the chalkboard. The children looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
2 "It's time for science, not music, Mrs. Kim," said Josh finally.
3 "And why did you give each of us a rubber band?" asked Matthew. "You usually tell us to keep rubber bands off our desks."
4 "You are both right," answered Mrs. Kim. "And the answer is that we are going to combine science with music. You are going to make music with your rubber band."
5 "Huh?" came the sound from several children.
6 "First, I would like you all to find a partner," said Mrs. Kim.
7 The children quickly got with a friend.
8 "I want one of you to pull the rubber band tightly between your two hands," she instructed. "Now, I would like the other partner to pluck the rubber band like you would a guitar."
9 Different sounds were heard all over the room. "Plunk, plunk." "Twang, twang." "Uong, uong."
10 "Listen carefully," instructed Mrs. Kim. "Why do you think some of the sounds are different?"
11 The children watched each other carefully and listened. They talked among themselves. Finally, Nicholas said, "The thicker rubber bands are making lower sounds."
12 "Yes," said Laura, "and the thinner rubber bands are making higher sounds."
13 "Very good," said Mrs. Kim. "Now, who can tell me how the sounds are being made?"
14 No one answered right away.
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