Blogging From A to Z Challenge: X is for Xylophone

Good morning! In case you're just visiting for the first time this month, I'm taking part in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge—again! My theme this year is 26 Super Fun Learning Activities You Can Do From Home. That's right, I'm conjuring up 26 "educational" ideas to keep you busy while you're safe at home. But don't get too hung up on the word "educational"—so far, they've all been fun activities. Skeptical? Check out the links to my past posts below.

I kicked off the challenge with Art for the letter A. Next up was B was for Baking. My sister and I did some chemistry for the letter "C," and I rounded off the first week with a family dance off. "E" was for exercise (which was way more fun than you think) and "F" was all about family. We got our hands dirty with some gardening,  celebrated Poetry Month and the letter "H" by writing haikus, and of course, "I" was for Invention. The week ended with juggling.

On the third Monday, I talked about knitting, learning a new language, and some fun math. Honest! For "N" I linked to a few nature activities and "O" was for Origami. To cap off that week, I shared my grandma's famous "play dough" recipe—and some ways you can create with it.

Of course, we didn't stop there! Last week started with quicksand, Tuesday we talked about reading, and Wednesday was all about science. On Thursday, I challenged you to make a COVID-19 Time Capsule with your family. Any progress this weekend? On Friday, I gave you another challenge—to build an umbrella! And we finished off the week with Virtual Field Trips.

Our final week of the challenge started yesterday with—well, writing, of course! How did your character creation go? For today's "X' post, get ready to make some noise!

X is for Xylophone

I've been doing the Blogging From A to Z Challenge for about five years now, and the letter "X" has always been a struggle—there aren't many "X" words when you think about it. But the word Xylophone always comes to mind—and this year, I figured out a way to use it in the challenge!

Okay, so most of you won't have an actual xylophone (if you do, that's awesome!), but there's never been a better time to start learning how to play a new instrument.

Music, as it turns out, has many educational benefits. Reading music requires some basic math skills—yeah, I know, you really do use math in your everyday life. Half notes, quarter notes, etc, are essentially fractions. Music can also inspire your creativity, boost your self esteem, encourage your brain to work harder, and—my mom's favourite—it helps you become a better listener.

If you've got an old guitar lying around, why not give it a strum? Or maybe it's time to dig out that old Recorder?

Nothing on hand? Don't worry! If you're feeling crafty, here is a link to 52 instruments you can make, many that use common household items. I can already tell it's going to be a noisy day.

Gotta jet! Happy music making today—and I'll see you tomorrow for the second to last day of the Blogging From A to Z Challenge. Can you believe the month is almost over? Me either!

~ Chase Superman Duffy