Creating a Metal Wind Chime

For Science and Technology this term, we are learning about the  properties of metals.  Then we will be using this knowledge to select suitable metals to make wind chimes and mobiles.

To complete this project your child will need to gather a collection of metal objects and pieces of scrap metal.  As you can imagine, this will require careful supervision and guidance, particularly with concern to safety.

RESEARCH:  Here are some questions to consider:

Where could we find pictures and examples of wind chimes?

What materials have been used?

What are some ways they have been joined?

Have they been coloured? How?

What types of supports have been used?

What are the metal objects hung on?

What kinds of shapes were used and how were they made?

What was the purpose of the wind chime or mobile – advertising, entertaining a baby, decorating, or making a nice sound?

What sounds do different kinds and sizes of metals make when they crash together?

Possible Materials your child could bring to school:

wire coat hanger, metal cutlery, tinfoil, twisty ties, bolts, nuts, screws, keys, bottle tops, chains, aluminium cans, springs, sinkers, metal pipes, metal washers, plastic bottle, plastic plate, tin lids, fishing line, string, old bike parts, old computer parts …

Here is a video that may spark your imagination further: