Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Fun Freebies For Music Teachers


Hello everyone,

This week I am so thankful to celebrate a Teachers Pay Teachers Milestone! Thank you so much for your support of my store in helping me to reach my goal of over 200 followers! I could not have achieved this milestone without you, so I wanted to offer a few freebies as a way to say "thanks".

Download these free Orff Instrument Labels for your class. They would also look great in any concert or music program. You can grab this freebie by clicking on the picture.



The next freebie is one of my classes favorite songs. This is a great song to play on boomwhachers, recorders, or Orff instruments. It has a fun mini lesson and covers several essential music skills to teach your class. You can check it out here by clicking on the Snake Charmer picture on my sidebar or Freebie Tab at the top of this page.


Want more freebies? Click on the pictures below to grab these freebies for your class. Again, I would like to give a big heart felt thank you for your support! Enjoy these free music products! Sherry Stucki :)

                           
        
 


Friday, November 6, 2015

What Really Works to Get Kids Reading Music Notes


Welcome to Mrs. Stucki's Music Class

I'm focusing on activities that really work to get kids reading their music notes. I've found that playing music games and note repetition are the easiest way for kids to learn note reading. Games are a great way to engage students in repetitive note reading, so I thought I would share some fun games that really work to get kids quickly reading their music notes.

Fun Note Reading Game:  Musical Candyland game is a big hit with my classes. This game reinforces note reading because it gives the students a lot of repetition. The game is played like the traditional Candyland except that kids must read the music note on the card they draw before they can move their marker.

Musical Candy Land Note Game
Musical Candyland is also a perfect game to use for music centers. I like to have half of my class play the Candyland game while the rest of the class works on music note worksheets. After 12 minutes, I'll tell the class to switch places. If they are working on coloring worksheets, they will now get to play the Candyland game while the other students work on the coloring worksheets. 

This game comes with: music note game cards, music note flash cards, a student answer key sheet and note coloring pages to use for assessments or for note reading practice. (I use 2 Musical Candyland game boards in my music centers- with several kids on each board). If you want to use this game for your class, you can check it out here.



Recorder Note Reading Contest
Mad Minute Game: This game only takes one minute, but is one of the fastest ways to help your class learn the names of their notes. I make a star for each student in my class. Place the student's name on their own star. Simply give a one minute timed note reading test. (I usually give them a music charm for passing the test). When a student passes their Mad Minute note reading quiz, take their star and move it up to the next level on your wall or bulletin board. This will help you keep track of which test to give to each student. The class will love seeing their name on the wall as they improve at reading notes to advance to the next level (I use Mad Minute Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond Levels). You can turn it into a contest to see what class earns their Gold level 1st. My class works hard to earn the Gold level to receive a special prize. I know they are ready for playing recorders when everyone has passed the Bronze level. This encourages the class work hard to pass the Bronze level so they can start their 1st recorder class. They take note reading more seriously when they know they have to pass the Bronze level in order to start recorders.

If you are looking for more ideas for  note reading with your class, check out these other fun note reading games below. Enjoy Sherry Stucki :)