Relay Race

Relay race

Materials

 * Electrical tape
 * Piano
 * Visual of the order of the notes on lines and notes in spaces.

Set
I will ask everyone to pull out a piece of paper and right down the letters FACE, and in a second space right EGBDF. Now I want everyone to come up with their own acronym for these letters. Say it over a few times and try to remember it. Use the visual for help if you want.

Development
Relay race: On the board I have the staff (a separate treble and bass clef) I have a series of notes and rhythms that:


 * On the board I have a staff with a 4/4 key signature and one bar of music
 * On the floor I have a staff made out of electrical tape
 * There are two teams for the race
 * I will hold up a piece of paper with one of the letters involved on it
 * I will also clap a rhythm to accompany the note given
 * The students will have the option to prove their knowledge on the staff on the floor or the staff on the board.

This gives learners at different levels the opportunity to develop their own skills. The staff on the floor requires you to find the right spot for your note and learn the rhythm through rote learning. The staff on the board requires you to know the space for the note as well as the rhythmical values of different types of notes. For example in 4/4 time you would need four quarter notes to fill the bar.

Closure
We will share some of the acronyms that the students created on their own.
 * Grandma's Body Doesn't Fear Age

Wrap up
Even though it was fun to come up with our own acronyms when you have a grade six band it can be beneficial to use one as you will refer to it many times in those first few months of ban. However for a general music class we can vary the approaches used to suit the needs of the students.

Adaptive dimension
Since the students have the choice between two staffs, one being easier than the other this gives students of different levels of musical knowledge different challenges. As well working in a team environment can cut the tension of “will I be right or wrong” because you have the support and knowledge of your team.