When it comes to music learning in lessons and classes, it’s always helpful to have worksheets on hand. They provide a change of pace, the opportunity for some quiet and individual thinking time, and the chance to observe how your students are thinking about certain subjects. But, did you know that worksheets can be made even more fun? Try the following five approaches to bring your worksheet time to a new level of enjoyment!
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Teacher-to-Student or Student-to-Student Worksheet Pass
Here’s how it looks: the teacher and student (or student and student) sit beside or across from each other, each with his own pencil. There is one worksheet that will be shared between the two of them: for example, a 100 Note Challenge. Choose who will name the first note, and quickly pass the sheet back and forth, taking turns naming each note in order! The goal is speed; make it frantic and silly! In a classroom, see which pair of students can has the most correct notes; whoever finishes first gets 5 bonus points!
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Race the Clock
You can race the clock using the above game, or your student(s) can race the clock by themselves. Have a kitchen timer ready, and on the count of 3, start the stopwatch. As soon as the student has finished his worksheet, for example, a Draw the Triad worksheet, stop the clock, and see the new record! Next lesson, the student can try to beat his record!
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Race the Teacher
But that’s not fair! Well, what if the teacher has to write with her non-dominant hand? What if she has to stand up and do five jumping jacks in between each worksheet question, say on a K is for… Key Signatures worksheet? What if she has to play a whole piano piece before starting, giving the student a head-start? What if she has to write all answers while wearing oven mitts? Set the rules, get creative, and see who wins!
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Worksheet Pal
Everybody loves a buddy, whether it’s a stuffed animal, a puppet, or a painted rock. Designate a buddy to be the studio’s or classroom’s Worksheet Pal, and he or she will always make a surprise and silly appearance during worksheet time. Maybe Worksheet Pal tries to help students with their worksheets, such as their Left & Right Pals worksheets; maybe Worksheet Pal needs to be taught by the students. Maybe Worksheet Pal is trying to distract the students, and they have to try not to laugh while finishing their worksheet!
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Eat Your Way
While Skittles, M&Ms, Froot Loops and all other colourful foods are fun, you can also do this activity with healthy colourful foods, like fruits such as berries, grapes, and small orange slices! Have your tiny treats nearby. Every time a student finishes a line, question, or segment of their worksheet (whatever designated portion decided beforehand), such as a note on a Draw the Note (Big Note) worksheet, they get to eat one tiny treat. Make sure to obtain parents’ permission before trying this activity!
These are only five ways to make worksheets super fun! Can you think of any others? Maybe your students can! Work together to create enjoyable approaches to completing worksheets, and you will never go back!
Written by Bronwyn Schuman, Founder of Music Theory Playground™