Ecology and Music in the Classroom

Music lessons at Savremena Primary School are not just about singing notes and listening to melodies—they are a space where children learn that music can be created from almost anything, even from materials we would usually throw away. During one of the recent lessons, students showed that creativity has no limits and that ecology and art can go hand in hand. The task was simple and inspiring: to make shakers using recycled plastic bottles and everyday materials found at home.

The classroom was filled with excitement as the children chose what to put inside their bottles—beans, rice, pieces of carrot, or a mix of everything. Each material produced a different sound, something the students quickly noticed. Some wanted a deep, muted sound and chose larger grains, while others preferred a sharp, bright sound created by fine rice. Every shaker was unique, just like the child who made it. The students understood that music is not only what we hear on the radio—music is all around us, we just need to know how to recognise it and create it.

Rhythm, Rhymes, and Togetherness

Once the shakers were finished, the real fun began. In the final part of the lesson, students used their handmade rhythmic instruments to accompany the traditional counting rhyme “Pliva patka preko Save.” Rhythm filled the classroom, and the smiles on the children’s faces showed that learning can be both enjoyable and meaningful. The students followed the beat, felt the music, and enjoyed creating sound together. Some were louder, some quieter, but together they formed one harmonious sound—just like in a real orchestra.

This lesson was not only about music—it was also about teamwork, environmental awareness, and creativity. The students learned that they do not need expensive instruments to make music; they can use what they already have and give it a new purpose. They learned to listen to one another, respect rhythm, and create something beautiful together. Most importantly, they realised that every material—even one that seems insignificant—can become something special when used with imagination and care.

A Lesson in Creativity and Sustainability

As the children took their shakers home, they carried something far more valuable with them—a lesson that creativity and caring for the planet go hand in hand. At Savremena Primary School, we do not teach children only to be educated, but also to be responsible, creative, and aware of the world they live in. We teach them that every old object can be given a second chance, that music does not belong only in concert halls, and that true joy comes from creating something with your own hands.

And as the shakers continue to rattle in the homes of our students, they carry a story of how recycling, music, and creativity can come together to create something truly special. Because at Savremena Primary School, every lesson is an opportunity for children to discover a new way of looking at the world—and to make it a better place, one shaker at a time.