Submitted by Luana Blake Mitchell, Minnesota
Idea posted March 17, 2003
When I want to drill or begin assessment in a particular area, I play The "Bank" Game, which I created. The "Bank" begins with X amount of money, say $5,000, which the class tries to earn/win. To earn/win a point ($1,000), they all have to agree on the correct answer without speaking. For example, if I'm checking on how they hear, up, down, or stay the same, I play 3 notes on a pitched instrument. At a given physical signal, they hold thumbs up, thumbs down, or palm flat. Of course, if there's confusion, rather than let them argue or fight I might say, "The first row is all thumbs up, hmmm, so are the girls in the back row..." going through the whole class. The ones who are incorrect begin looking around and change answers. If the class seems to be undecided, I play it again. I also do this for line or space note identification, which rhythm is played, etc.