Aside from an appreciation for music, I have no other knowledge of it or possess any talent myself. My son's music teacher’s “tee tee tah” lesson on music notes had my son trying to teach me, though. His curiosity became mine too. To help him learn the names of the music notes and practice some math, I designed this fun activity. Download the music measure mat, cheat sheet, and notes/rests cards here. The objective? See how many different combinations of notes can be used to create a measure of music with a 4/4 time signature. I made some “note” cards and a cheat sheet that showed all the notes and rests and the number of beats each has. After cutting the cards and taping together the music measure mat, my son sorted the cards into piles. Then I told him that the top number in the time signature (4/4) told us that each measure of music should have four beats. Each note does not have 1 beat, some have as little as a half beat, others as much as 4 beats. I told him to fill the measure with notes and rests that added to four beats. He started with the easiest combinations: 1 whole note and then four quarter notes. But they got progressively harder. I had to explain that two half beats equal one beat (I used an apple cut in half to show how two halves equal one whole). Then, the fun really began – using the eighth notes and eighth rests! More and more cards were laid down. This was a great way to boost my son’s music vocabulary and work on counting, addition, and fractions. We made LOTS of different combinations of notes and rests that added to four beats. I lost count after he created 13 measures!
Discover how teaching improvisation to beginner piano students is easier than you think. Plus, download a free copy of TopMusicMag.
Warning: this idea is 100% completely stolen from my good friend Tanya LeJeune!! Be sure to view her blog by clicking here!!! I saw Tanya present this at the Colorado State conference a number of years ago but it wasn't until this year that I finally made a formal "remote" for the game (before making these manipulatives I would simply write the words on a board). You'll notice in the picture below that there are two remotes: the one on the left I use with 1st and 2nd grades & the one on the right is used with 3rd-5th grades. This is a late practice activity and students will be most successful when they are familiar with the song(s) that this is played with. Basic principal of the game: Have the practice song written on the board in stick notation with the solfege written below the rhythm and the text to the song below the solfa (similarly to the way Jill Trinka notates her songs in her books). I have the remote hanging on my magnetic board. The students read the song by performing it on each of the "channels" (the buttons- ie. they sing it on the words all the way through the song, then they sing it on the rhythm all the way through the song, then the solfa all the way through the song and then (for grades 3-5) the absolute pitch names). After that, if the game is new to the students, I explain how we are going to "channel surf"- this a concept that we are all familiar with. ;-) This means that as the song is sung I am going to have them switch from singing the song one way to another (i.e. they may sing phrase one on the words of the song and then the second phrase on solfa and so on.) I tell them which "station" they will start on and give them a starting pitch. Then, using another magnet (mine is a Fantasia Mickey Mouse that a former student gave me), I place the magnet next to the starting station and as the song is sung move the magnet to other channels as the phrases change. Here are a couple variations to make it more difficult: instead of using stick solfa, have the song written on the staff with the text below. have the song written on the staff but without the text. have them sing all of the song from memory. This one is fun to do with a song/game that the kids ask to play over and over again that they know VERY well. There is one thing that I have haven't touch on and that's the "mute" button: works just like a real mute button and is wonderful for inner hearing. I usually use it as an independent button (not in combination with other buttons), but you can do it in combination with the other buttons as a way to really challenge students. Thanks again Tanya for sharing this game!!!
This is a fantastic way to teach rhythm notation, but it might make you hungry.
My district is one that is implementing Student Learning Objectives...which are basically large-scale goals for each student in class based on their ability levels. Teachers have to set target scores/learning outcomes for lower level learners to higher level learners. That means there has to be some sort of pre-assessment in order to determine the level of the students. I really have struggled in attempting to create pre-assessments for orchestra. It has been hard to wrap my head around giving a test to see what I know students don't know yet...since I haven't taught the skill, yet. Anyway, I am focusing my learning objective on rhythm. I want to be sure my students are fluent note-readers and rhythm readers. For my pre-test, I will use the 'I Got Rhythm' form that I created. This can be used many different ways and can be a useful tool in a variety of rhythm exercises. For my pre-assessment, I will perform the rhythm from one box on each line...and I will have students circle the rhythm that they think I played. This will help me see if students are already recognizing these rhythms. The rhythms get progressively more difficult as you move down the page, so I will be able to set some learning targets for individual students. Eventually of course, students will demonstrate the ability to perform these rhythms on their own - by the end of year 1. I can also use this form as a rhythm exercise...students can perform the rhythms across and down each line. They can cut them up to make flashcards. You can use the different rhythms for warm-ups and scales.
Welcome to 31 Days of Homemade Music! Today we will be continuing to make a case for why anyone can benefit from studying music. To find other posts in this series, click here. Ever wondered if music is just as effective a brain developer as, say, math or science? If you remember my post from […]
Once in a while I do a blog post more aimed at a music teacher audience, and this is one of those posts. This is the hello song that I sing to start every music for kindergarten and first grade. …
High Shoals Elementary School Music Blog, Oconee County GA, Orff Music Instruction
So, I absolutely LOVE the anchor charts I’ve been seeing on blogs and on Pinterest. Apparently, anchor charts are supposed to be minimalistic so as not to confuse the children with extra inf…
Introducing Do Re Mi to kids in a visual, fun way to help them understand the notes of the scale and piano. First musical theory lesson for babies and young kids.
Got a master musician in the making? Give her tunes some solid structure with a fun beginner's worksheet on reading music.
Finally! The Taxonomy of my Music is complete! While I’m working on my Digital Art assignments I enjoy watching my favorite TV shows. I bring this up to help you get a sense for how long it t…
Write for the NAfME Blog SEARCH & FILTER Search Category Subscribe to NAfME Notes Subscribe to NAfME Notes, our biweekly e-newsletter, to receive highlights from the blog and other NAfME news in your inbox. Subscribe Now Write for the NAfME Blog Interested in sharing your experience with the music education…
Most of us teach multiple grade levels. I teach 4 year olds through 94 year olds. I skip 12 year olds through somewhere in the 60's, though...
Rock, Paper, Scissors, SING is a fun, PowerPoint music game for reinforcing so-mi melodic patterns! This is a great activity for music students to practice sight-singing on the 5-line staff because it's a fun twist on a game that most kids already love to play! This is a team game that also allows for informal assessments, but it can also be played in centers with 2 or more players. This edition is only in the Key of C, but my other games use examples from C, G, and F. More Rock Paper Scissor Games: BUNDLES Rhythm BUNDLE with Stick & Standard Solfa BUNDLE! Rhythm Games STANDARD Notation Quarter Note, Quarter Rest, Eighth Notes Half Note Beamed 16th Notes Syncopa Rhythm Games STICK Notation Quarter Note, Quarter Rest, Eighth Notes Half Note Beamed 16th Notes Syncopa Solfége Games Sol-Mi **FREEBIE** Sol-Mi-La Sol-Mi-La-Do Do-Re-Mi Pentatonic Try my 4 Corners games, another school favorite! 4 Corners BUNDLE! Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to leave feedback to earn TpT credits. :) Follow me for updates and freebies! #musiccrewfreebies
Music theory worksheets are valuable tools for individuals who are learning or studying music. These worksheets provide structured exercises that focus specifically on note values. With a range of activities and exercises tailored to different skill levels, music theory worksheets help students grasp the concept of note values and their significance in creating rhythm and melodic patterns. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician, these worksheets are designed to enhance your understanding of note values and improve your musical performance.
Fruit Canon (Mango Mango Mango)
Picture is Big Jay McNeely at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1951, by Bob Willoughby. It was originally black and white then colorized (c) 2015 by O. Young Kwon. This blog is an adaptation
Get your Star Wars on with sheet music, printables and John Williams inspired activities with this midi-chlorian rich download.
What are your top 5 best hits? Here's a fun way for any music lover to analyze their favorite songs.
Fun and engaging hand clapping game to teach your kiddos!
I’ve been told that this is the teacher’s mantra when it comes to resources. Thanks to Pinterest, it is even easier to find other people’s fantastic ideas and adapt them for your…
Music class is an active, engaging, and joyful experience! This is especially true when our musical activities are grounded in creative and intentional teaching strategies. One of the most important teaching strategies has to do with teaching the difference between steady beat and the rhythm of
Eine kurzweilige Rätselaufgabe zur Wiederholung und Festigung der Noten der Tonleiter.
The glockenspiel or the xylophone is one of the first musical instruments children can use to take their first steps in playing music.This repertoire is rich enough to get you started.
music lessons for home schoolers, music lessons for the young child, peter and the wolf, rhythm, teaching musical form, melody, elementary music
Thank you to Mrs. Miracle for hosting this fantastic linky party! Check out her amazing blog and other bloggers who will be linking up! Here are my favourite pins of January! 1. iPad Organization This is an idea that was originally pinned from Inspire. Love. Learn. I can't wait to get my iPads organized! 2. Beethoven- Composer of the Month Printables I can't wait to get these laminated! I've already bought and printed them out. Thank you to Sara Bibee for having this at Teachers Pay Teachers. 3. Recorder Fingering Chart I love this! It is cute and super clear, especially for my beginner recorder players. My grade 4 students started Recorder Karate this month and I have given them this chart to refer to. 4. Instrument Family Trivia Game for SMART Board This looks like a great resource! I haven't used this yet, but I am planning on using it for my groups that are going to the orchestra this year. 5. Word Wall Idea for Composer of the Month I love this idea! I will be doing this as an add-on for my Composer of the Season display. What are your favourite pins of January? Link up with Mrs. Miracle!
Credit- Raymondsanti Students in grades K-4 began the Lion King unit this Monday during Arts Enrichment time. Arts Enrichment is an extra music/art time a week taught by the Art teacher Mrs. Divis and the music teacher Ms. Moon. Photo Credit The Lion King on Broadway Trailer For the next two Mondays students will be learning a fun dance to "The Circle of Life" and making African necklaces. Students will wear the necklaces while showcasing "The Circle of Life" dance at an upcoming school assembly. Photo by: Swiss.frog After those two weeks students will explore The Lion King theme more through various art projects and music activities. Some of the music activity videos are shown below: Hakuna Matata: The Lion Sleeps Tonight Music Video Lion Sleeps Tonight- Just Dance 2 Video I made two different arrangements of Lion Sleeps Tonight (and found the ukulele online) for grades 2-4, to align with what instruments they are learning in general music class. Grade 2 will learn the song on boomwhackers, grade 3 on the barred instruments, and grade 4 on the ukulele. I will also give a brief description of some common African instruments and add appropriate percussion parts (likely only one or two per grade of the percussion parts listed below). Below is a video from a 2nd grade class of students playing the boomwhacker part and some African instruments. Here is a 3rd grade class practicing the mallet accompaniment to "Lions Sleeps Tonight". Although the Lion King takes place in Kenya, the theme of the unit opens up the wonderful opportunity to explore musical activities from all parts of Africa. Obwisana is a folk song from Ghana. Students will play a rock passing game while singing the song. The words of the song mean "The rock has crushed my hand, grandma." I found this description in a book I have: "A child singing this song is repeatedly receiving a message of security and comfort, even in the context of a phrase and game which tells of injury. The injured child can take comfort in the fact that he or she can turn to "Nana" for sympathy and assistance- the ever-present circle of relatives supports Ghanaian children and adults during times of misfortune and celebration both." Che Che Koolay is also a folk song from Ghana. The words have been said by some to be nonsense words. But the movements to the song lean toward this translation: Hands on your head Hands on your shoulders Hands on your waist Hands on your knees Hands on your ankles Hands on your ankles Hands on your ankles, hey! Notation found here Students will learn a dance similar to the popular American song, "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" to Che Che Koolay.
Finally! The Taxonomy of my Music is complete! While I’m working on my Digital Art assignments I enjoy watching my favorite TV shows. I bring this up to help you get a sense for how long it t…
Once popular during the Renaissance era, the recorder has gained popularity throughout schools as an introductory instrument that is easy to play and gives students their first foray into music theory. Although a recorder never needs to be tuned, it does require practice and patience from the student. For educators, ...
