Wow, it has been awhile since I have posted! I have been busily working away at many things, but most of them have not been piano related. 
Anyway, here is something I have been wanting to post for awhile. This is an idea from A Galaxy of Games for the Music Classroom. These are just plain old flashcards with basic symbols, right? Well, not exactly. I laminated the red cards, cut the symbols out of fine-grit sandpaper, and glued them to the cards. The treble clef could have been tricky to cut, but since the sandpaper is rough anyway, I just cut right through the straight line part of the clef to cut the curves. When glued to the card, you can’t even tell!
After a beginning student has learned the various symbols, I tell them we are going to have a test, and they have to name all of the symbols. They usually ace right through that, so I tell them that I need to make it really hard. They have to identify the symbol with their eyes closed. I love their reaction to that! They close their eyes and identify what is on each card simply by touch. What a fun way to reinforce learning!
Here is the pattern I used to cut the shapes out of sandpaper.
Filed under: Flashcards
D’Net, this is such a great idea and very well done. All children learn in different ways, so using all the senses is one more way to reach students.
-Susan P.
I love this idea D’Net! This would also be a great way to reinforce the notes on the staff! Feeling the note on which line or within which space. Hmmm…
Ooh, that’s a great idea! it wouldn’t be very hard to do, either. I may just have to go get some more sandpaper…
Oh my! This is how my own son learned his letters at the Montessori kindergarten.
Brilliant!!
Thanks.
Carol