Submitted by Jeanne Swinney, Shawnee, Oklahoma

Idea posted November 22, 2002

I have played this with my first graders and they really enjoy it. I give each child a different zoo plate, face down. I tell them to not let anyone else know what animal they have. Then I sing "Who has the _________ (name of an animal plate that I have passed out)" to them using the pitches: Sol Mi Mi Sol Mi (Rhythm: Ta Ti-Ti Ta Ta). Whoever has that animal holds it up in front of them and sings, "I have the _________" using the same pitches.

This is a good way to evaluate their pitch recognition and they really enjoy this activity. Plus, the mystery of who has which animal adds to the game.