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

Alphabet Blocks

A reader asked me to come up with some ideas inspired by the website: Filth Wizardry 
The creative folks at Filth Wizardry had come up with the idea to put words on Lego Duplo Blocks. 

Naturally, I came up with some Musical Alphabet Blocks.  Using printing labels from Avery Template 8160, size 1 x 2 5/8 I put the musical alphabet on the labels and then cut them to fit on the block.  


The possibilities for fun and learning with these blocks are endless.  I can't wait to try them with my students.  


Here are a couple of ideas:
1. Arrange them in A-G order
2. Arrange them in third order
3. Identify the interval
4. Have one block out, let's say it is E and have the student attach a third, fourth, etc. up or down.
5. Spell simple words: Bead, Face, Egg and play the notes on the keyboard or write them on a staff.  
6. Arrange the letters to make chords, inversions, scales.  A great teaching tool!
7. Game: Each player gets ten blocks.  Place one block out to be the starting block.  Place all other blocks in a pile, with the letter side turned over.  Players take turns building the alphabet forwards and backwards until they have used all of their blocks.  If they do not have a block to play they can pick a block from the pile.  If the block they picked can be played, they may play it.  If they cannot play it, then it is the next player's turn.


Google Docs: Alphabet Stickers






Check out my other use of Duplo Lego Blocks: Rhythm Blocks

Rhythm Blocks

Recently I was asked to come up with a musical idea using Duplo Blocks inspired by Filth Wizardry.  


I decided to start with Rhythm Blocks.  Using printing labels from Avery Template 8160, size 1 x 2 5/8 I put rhythms on the labels and then cut them to fit on the block.  


I put four different time signatures on each side of the duplo block.  Then I put different rhythms on each side of the other blocks.


I attached blocks that made one complete measure.  Then by turning the blocks up or down the time signature changes.  The student would have to adjust the number of beats to make the rhythm correct for the time signature change. 

A possible game would be to have the students each choose 10 blocks and build measures.  They would play a block only if it would fit in the measure.  If they could not play they would have to pick one block.  If that block played then they could play that block, if not their turn was over.  Play would continue until the winner played his or her last block.

Now, I have put a sticker on each side, but for this game, you could put one sticker on only one side.  For beginner students I like the idea of showing how a half note takes up two quarter notes by adding an extra blank block to represent the beat.  

Here are the Rhythm Labels for Level One.  I still want to tweak the other rhythms before I post them.  I have a lot of more ideas so keep checking back.  I am so excited about this Lego Project!

Google Docs: Rhythm Stickers: Level One

For more rhythm fun check out Rhythm Blocks Level Two

Check out these resources!

Duplo Blocks

A reader saw this wonderful site: Filth Wizardy, a wonderful craft site for kids and parents, and asked me to come up with a game using Duplo Blocks.  The folks at Filth Wizardy have already laid the ground work for this great idea by putting stickers on the blocks.  Well, my wheels are already turning on the great ideas I could do with musical concepts!  Check out there site and maybe get inspired yourself.  Check back soon for some ideas with duplos!

Music Camp: Day Five

Today we finished our Persian March from Fun with Composers.  It has been a lot of fun for the kids and easy to get them involved.  I loved discovering the body movement with the drum stimulus.  The dancing, singing and instruments made this a great way to have fun with a classical piece.  The kids have really enjoyed pretending to be pirates.  Tonight we are performing it in front of the parents.  I have had four classes each day ranging from 1st grade until 5th grade.  Tonight they will all perform the piece together with instruments!  It should be fun!

I also finished a sound story for Noah's Ark today.  We read a story about Noah's Ark and added some instruments sounds to different parts of the story to bring it alive.  So when it rained, drip, drop, drip we added a triangle or a agogo bell.  The children got to pick whatever instrument they thought went with the sound.  If we need a animal roaring or flapping its wings they chose another instrument.  By the end we had a great story with a lot of sound!

It has been a great week and the children have learned so much!

Music Camp: Day Four

On Day Four we focused on memory.

Today's Bible Point was "God Remembers Noah" and our verse was "The Lord your God goes with you.  He will never leave you" Deuteronomy 31:6

I tested the children on what the remembered from the previous days, including the names of notes and musical expressions.

We clapped through some rhythm cards, but this time I had the students clap the card from memory.  I would show the rhythm card and have them think about the card then put the card down and see if they could clap the card from memory.  They did a great job!

We also did a fun song to test their memory.  Here is the song:

Noah's Zoo Sung to "I bought me a cat"
The animals came in two by two
It turned into Noah's Zoo
The rooster goes cock-a-doodle-doo

Then I added another animal

The animals came in two by two

It turned into Noah's Zoo

The pig goes oink, oink

The rooster goes cock-a-doodle-doo

I kept adding animals and would see if the students could remember the order.  For younger students I used the cards below.  I would display the cards in order and then turn over some to see if the student remembered what was next.

Google Docs: Noah's Zoo

Music Camp: Day Three

Today we added dynamics to our music map and created a rain storm.  I reviewed the rhythm we have been learning and had the children play the rhythms with instruments today.  I had four rhythm cards in a row and I had the students say the rhythm, then clap the rhythm and then we played them with the instruments.

I also introduced the concept of accent and staccato.  I wrote four quarter notes on the board and put an accent underneath one of the notes and we said the rhythm, accenting the note.  We did the same for the staccato.

Our theme for today was "The Great Flood"and our bible verse was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:4-6.

I demonstrated how to use a rain stick and then we used body percussion to make a rain storm.  I would start on one side of the room stand in front of the students, showing them a motion.  Then as I moved to the other side the students in front of me would copy me.  To create a human rain storm I used the following motions:

Rub hands together
Snap fingers
Clap hands
Pat legs
Stomp feet
Pat legs
Clap hands
Snap fingers
Rub hands together

It was a really fun experience!  At the end we added dynamics, accents and staccatos to our music map.  The "Fun with Composers" series has a music map for each piece.  I copied it onto poster board so it could be seen by the students.  I put some dynamic markings, accents and staccatos on some post it notes.  I had the students decide which dynamic matches the piece as we listened to it.