This outdoor idea combines sidewalk chalk with music symbols

Title – Music Symbols

By – Rebecca Wszalek

Primary Subject – Music

Secondary Subjects – Art

Grade Level – PreK-5

Objective: Students will practice writing music symbols, dynamic markings, etc.

Materials: Sidewalk chalk, a nice day

Procedure:

Students are given one piece of sidewalk chalk per person. They are also given boundaries, since you will be outside. Pick a nice sidewalk area, preferably away from heavy traffic. Call out the music symbol you want your students to draw: treble clef, bass clef, even the staff. You may even let them choose which symbol or note they want to draw (that will guarantee success). This can be simplified for younger students so that they draw a quarter note or the pattern: ta ta titi ta. For 4th and 5th graders learning about meter, you can call out a time signature and have them compose a measure with the correct number of beats.

This lesson can be used as a good review and reward for any grade level. It also works well during times when a lot of testing is taking place. It was great to be outside and learning at the same time. It was also an added plus when the students received praise and positive feedback from their teachers, classmates and friends.

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Rebecca Wszalek

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