Tuesday evening, we held our fifth Private Eye Workshop of the year. Our theme for this one was Folk Songs from Around the World. Here are some picture highlights from the event:
In keeping with our Key Signature theme for the month, we started out with a game. One at a time, I had each student volunteer to be timed as they lined up the key signature flashcards in order from 0 sharps to 7 sharps, then arrange the corresponding key names below each card. I timed each student as they took their turn and kept track on a white board. The observing students watched with rapt attention as they awaited their turn. They all wanted to beat the fastest time! This was an easy concept even for the youngest students who don’t fully understand key signatures, because they just had to go by the number of sharps and then count the key names by fifths to know the correct order.
After the opening game, we began the performances. Each student shared a bit of information about the country upon which their piece was based. Here, Addi is dressed the part as well!
In addition to sharing about their country, each student also placed a magnet on our map of the world in their country so that we could get a picture of where we were “traveling” for the performance.
After the performances, we concluded the evening with a loud, fun key signature game. I divided the students into two teams, using their scores from earlier as a guide to determine who to place on each team. Then, on the team, I had them line up from the slowest time to the fastest time. You can’t see it in this picture, but there is a piano bench between the two teams. On the bench, I placed a little service bell. One member of each team would stand at the bench and face-off. I held up a key signature flashcard and whoever dinged the bell first got a chance to name the key. If correct, they earned one point. If incorrect, the other team was given a chance to confer and then submit an answer. The team that reached twenty points first won!
Everyone really got into the key signature games, and I’m confident that they know their key signatures much better now than they did one week ago. Still room for lots of reinforcement, though. (We didn’t even get to the flat key signatures!) Hope this gives you some fun ideas that you can use with your students!
Hi Natalie, it looks really fun. I am just curious that if you run a different group class for different level. Do you hold them all on the same day? I have mostly early beginners and a couple of late elementary. I’d love to run a group class introducing key signatures one day. Thanks for posting.
Hi Lydia!
I hold one group class every six weeks or so and students of all ages and levels attend the same class. I really enjoy teaching in an age-integrated setting, so I love having all my students attend the same class.
What fun! You teach concepts in such a fun and effective way.
I’ve never done group classes with all my students. Do you ever have discipline problems with that many kids?
Hi Rebecca!
Oh you should definitely try groups – I’m sure you and your students would love them! I have never had any serious discipline problems. Occasionally I’ll have a student get a little rambunctious, but they respond well to a stern warning from me. I do try to make group classes a lot of fun, but I am a stickler for good, respectful behavior. If I did have a problem, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to send the student out of the room or have them call their parents to come pick them up.