Fun Downloadable Music Games for FREE!

I came across a great resource today:  The Music Interactive.  The website has a lot of free games to download, including a fun STAFF WARS game.  You must register to download the games.  I can't wait to share these with my students!

Other great games are RHYTHM DICTATION, which has the student listen to a rhythm and choose the correct sequence from the rhythms provided.  You are able to choose what rhythms to include, so it is appropriate for different levels.

RHYTHM BLOCK is similar, except their patterns to choose from.

SPEED NOTE is not as exciting as Staff Wars, though it does have selectable levels.

Enjoy these fun games!

Staff Flashcards

Here are some staff note flashcards I use.  They go from Low C to High C.
I have two versions:  Plain flashcards and some smaller playing cards.


Staff Flashcards



Staff Playing Cards

Hidden Treasures Practice Assignment Record

I have modified my assignment sheet to record the progress of the students as they sail the high seas.

There is now a place to record how many jewels they have collected each week.  The graphic to the left is placed at the bottom of the assignment sheet.  For some reason it shows up a little blurry in the preview below, but it prints out clear!

For more information on this year's theme click: Hidden Treasures.

Google Docs: Hidden Treasures Piano Assignment Record

Treasure Map: Reward Incentive

Ahoy Mateys!  I have been swabbing the deck (cleaning my studio) and preparing to embark on our pirate journey this week!  I am using this treasure map as an incentive chart for my students.

For my treasure map, I will have students collect hidden treasure (jewels) for different accomplishments.

1 Jewel

·      Accomplishing a practice goal

·      Mastering a technique

·      Mastery of a piece

3 Jewels

                        ·    Memorizing a piece

·      Improvement in One Minute Score

·      Perform outside studio

·      Finish drill card

·      Complete 10 sight reading drills

·      Complete 10 rhythm drills

5 Jewels

·      Participate in Festival

·      Complete 10 pages of drill sheets

Here are the jewels I am giving away:  Just little tiny beads I got at Walmart.

When the student collects 5 beads I will mark them off on their Treasure Map.  When they reach a landmark and are promoted, I am going to reward them with a little pirate duck.  I got these from Amazon as well.  

I am thinking of making a big chart on the wall to chart everyone's progress along the map.  When and if I get this together, I will post about it.

At each group lessons student will spend their booty (jewels) in the treasure chest.  I have lots of goodies, big and small that will cost various amounts of jewels.  This way we only shop one time.  If students want to hold on to their jewels till the end of the year, they can, but they have to spend all their jewels at the last group lesson.

BONUS FIND!

I also made a super find at Office Depot during some back to school shopping:

These mini reward charts are from Eureka and come with gold coin stickers.  I found them on sale at these websites as well:

http://www.k12schoolsupplies.net/Treasure-Hunt-Mini-Reward-Charts-p/eu-837016.htm

Amazon

I plan on using the little charts for group lessons!  

Teaching Theme for 2011-12

Ahoy Mateys!  For the first time I am going to attempt a piano theme for the year.  Many other teachers center their teaching around a theme for the year to promote excitement and incentives for the year.  After working this year in a Music Camp where I used a pirate theme, I decided to take that theme and run with it.  So the theme for my studio for 2011-12 is


                                       Hidden Treasures!

I am already thinking of games and activities around the theme, but the first thing I wanted to do was make an incentive chart for the students using none other than a Treasure Map!  The students are going to collect jewels (inexpensive beads) to spend in the Treasure Chest and they can chart their progress on the map.

The map could be used in a variety of ways:
1. Mark off a dot for each goal reached
2. Mark off a dot for each piece (measures) memorized
3. Mark off a dot for each new technique mastered
4. Combination of any or all
5. Other incentives for the year

Each time the student meets a special symbol on the map (ship, pirate or treasure chest) they are promoted to a new position on the ship.

I am throwing around the idea of collecting a different pirate goodie each time they reach a symbol on the map.  I am either going with pirate silly bands or rubber duckies that look like pirates.  This would be in addition to the jewels they get to spend in the treasure chest.

I haven't worked out all the details, but I think they will need 5 jewels to cross off each dot on the map. Any ideas you guys have are more than appreciated!

Here is a look at the treasure map if you are interested in sailing the high seas with me:

Rhythm Blocks: Level Two

Rhythm Blocks have been a big hit in my studio!  I have added level two for some more complex rhythms.

We have been building rhythms with blocks based on the time signature.  One added benefit in using the blocks is they transfer well from the floor to the keyboard.  My students can make a rhythm on the floor and then take there blocks to the keyboard to play them using notes or chords.  This has been a great hands on activity.

For more ideas see Rhythm Blocks Level One

Google Docs: Rhythm Blocks: Level Two

Transfer Students

I recently had an interview with a transfer student and I wanted to really record my assessment, so I came up with a handy chart to record my observations.

I wanted to see how far they have progressed in rhythmic reading, note reading, chords, keys, ear training and musical terms.  It provided me with a great picture of where the student was at and since I recorded it, I can easily remember what the student needs to work on as well.

I also included a section on the student's interest and personality.  It was really great to get to know this new prospective student and to discover all the wonderful things they have learned and some of the things I can teach them.

Google Docs: Transfer Student Interview