I’m always looking for a good way to help my students do well on melodic dictation. At our most recent group lesson, I used these Christmas Pieces Flashcards for a “Challenge!” game.
This is how we played:
Two teams lined up behind a table. The first person in both lines put their hands behind their back and stood in front of a table with a call bell in the middle. I showed them a Christmas Tune Flashcard and the first person to ring the bell with the correct answer earned a point for their team.
Some of the tunes were difficult for the students, so I told them their team members could help them by clapping the rhythm or quietly helping them sing the tune. The kids had fun and the game became more of a team effort than an individual one, which is often more exciting for the group lesson.
#1 by Sheila - November 13th, 2009 at 23:21
Great idea! I won’t have a group lesson before Christmas, but using one mystery carol a week for my students will be a great way to begin lessons.
You may want to check the time signature on the last one (Away in a Manger).
#2 by Wendy - November 14th, 2009 at 10:40
Hi Sheila,
Great catch! I’ve fixed the Away in a Manger time signature on the original file. Thanks for letting me know!
#3 by Natalie Wickham - November 15th, 2009 at 22:24
This looks great, Wendy! I think I will use it as a game at my rehearsal. The second tune on page one and the first tune on page 7 are the same. Are they supposed to be for two different carols?
#4 by Wendy - November 16th, 2009 at 20:56
Hi Natalie, Thanks for catching that. No, those aren’t supposed to be for two different carols. It was just an oversight. Thanks!