Submitted by Patricia Oeste, Conway, Arkansas

Idea posted January 24, 2003

"Mad Minutes" from the Complete Recorder Resource Kit work really well to reinforce note reading. I make photocopies and place them in a folder behind a transparency (clear). We then get our vis-a-vis markers out and on my "Mark," they begin to fill in the answers. They have however many minutes is reasonable at that point (I start with about 3 1/2). Then, we go back and check them. Subsequently, they erase their answers (dampened sponge piece) and we try again at a quicker time - say, 3 minutes.

They can see their progress this way and the "drill" is not so dull. We repeat until it isn't fun anymore! They LOVE this!