Submitted by Willard (Bill) Ahlman, Coppell, Texas

Idea posted October 9, 2003

After I have completed the teaching, reteaching, and review of the names of the notes on the lines and spaces, the closing class is Music Note Twister. I use black masking tape and make a grand staff on the floor. (If you don't have a classroom of your own, you can buy a large white vinyl tablecloth and use colored duct tape or other stuff like that and make the grand staff on the tablecloth, carting it from room to room.) Mine is about eight feet long and four feet or so high. I then make up flashcards with instructions like "right foot, treble clef G," "left hand, bass clef F," and "right hand, middle C" making one card for each possible combination of hands, feet, and notes. I think I have about 30 cards - I am sure I have missed some combinations, but no problem! The kids take turns. (We play about five kids at a time, and, when I have a BIG class, I put down more than one grand staff and have two or more games going on at one time!) They draw a card and follow the instructions, placing the appropriate appendage on the correct line/space. If they have trouble finding the right note, the other kids in the game are allowed to help in a FRIENDLY way, and lead them verbally to the right place!

THE KIDS LOVE THIS GAME! There have been many rainy days, or last days of school before vacation, when the kids ask to play this game.