I recently had a lessons with two girls in which we started introducing the staff. After discussing the concepts and reviewing what they needed to do for their theory assignment, it was still quite clear that they were struggling to determine the difference between whether a note is written on a line or in a space.
After some quick thinking, I was able to pull out the game, Goofy Piano. Even though we haven’t learned the note names and their location on the piano, I was still able to use them in a game. Alternating turns, the girls were given the change to name the note as a line or space note. The student with the most cards at the end won.
I think I might use this as a review game at their next lesson as well. To make it more challenging, I will try having the girls name the specific line number or the space number.
~ Ms. Natashia
Mar 18, 2011 @ 11:20:46
Here’s something you could also do….. Have a staff printed on cardstock in a sheet protector. Have the student use the craft toy, “Bendaroos” and have she/ he stick on a bendaroo on each line, (these sticks are like wax coated yarn that will adhere to the sheet protector temporarily). Then use decorative floral rocks or foam shapes as note heads.
Game suggestions: A version of Battleship, (Is it on Line 4 or Space 2, etc.?) or Locate What the Teacher Calls Out First, etc.
Making the lines become 3D seems to make it easier for students understand the difference between lines and spaces. It’s also great for tactile learners.
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