Submitted by Monica Laust, Prescott, Wisconsin

Idea posted January 20, 2003

To teach the staff to primary grades I use a rectangular plastic tablecloth I bought at Wal-Mart and put lines of black electrical tape on it to make a staff. I have 2 teams and have the students take turns throwing a beanbag on the staff and naming the note name.

To make it more interesting I give 2 pts. for each correct answer if the beanbag lands on a space and only 1 pt. if it lands on a line. The purpose of this is only to add more competitive interest. The kids really like this game, and I fold the tablecloth up and put it away for easy storage.

I also laminated staffs and use Gummi Lifesavers to make moveable notes. I dictate a word, such as badge, and the students put the gummis on the staff. They really like this also (I think mostly because they know they get to eat the gummis after we are finished). I do not play this game with the classes who meet right before lunch!!