Too Much Noise is a book by Ann McGovern, and I absolutely love making it into a sound story! My lesson plan exposes the students to many Orff instruments (both pitched and non-pitched) and give them an opportunity to play their instrument many times throughout the story. I use this book in grades Kindergarten through 2nd, and it is a hit every time. Several other lesson plans that are sound stories are included on my lesson plan pages of this blog (Froggy books).
Not only does a sound story provide students with an opportunity to perform on & learn about the instruments, it also allows students to experience other ways a book can be read! They explore literature and music together!
To make a sound story with older students, teach the concept of improvisation. I have a couple lesson plans in 3rd grade for improvisation – The Old Woman and Her Pig, The Gingerbread Boy & Jack and Jill. These lessons allow for students to CHOOSE an instrument that makes sense for their character (cow = cowbell, horse = temple blocks, pig = guiros).