Good morning!! I am looking for any ideas for something fun to do with my kids on Friday. I usually do full band on Fridays. I have tried putting them in break out rooms and play games to get them to try to know each other, but no one ever talks or participates. This would be for grades 6-8. Thanks.
Re: something fun
Posted by Klaactu on 1/12/2021, 8:07 pm, in reply to "something fun"
Being the best band at a contest is fun.
Re: something fun
Posted by MS director on 1/12/2021, 10:14 am, in reply to "something fun"
Unpopular opinion but maybe send them to Gym? Gym is always fun
Re: something fun
Posted by Terry on 1/14/2021, 4:06 pm, in reply to "Re: something fun"
Sight reading basketball is fun and keeps them learning.
Make 10-20 flash cards with basic rhythms. A few easy and others that require some brain power. (Besides counting problems, you can do terms, or name the note cards). Add one or two wild cards. I liked to mix in a couple of dunk card, which goes along with the counting problem.
Divide your class into two groups. (Let them pick a cool team name).
Place a waste basket in the room and use a couple of chairs to mark a two point shot line and a three point shot line. Of course, the three point line is further away making the shot more of a challenge..
Wad up some “basketballs” from scrap paper or notebook paper.
Rocks-paper-scissors to see which team goes first.
Hold up a card. The first player has to count it. If the player counts correctly the player gets to make a shot from the two point line or the three point line. (If the player drew a dunk card, then they can walk up and drop the ball in.). If the player does not count correctly, the other team gets a chance to steal. If no one gets it right, then you have arrived at a teaching moment!
It is a lot of fun for the kids and they are still reinforcing basic skills. Be sure the metronome is on so that counting has to be uniform and precise.
Usually the games are pretty close. Sometimes it comes down to a conservative team that scores easy points and sometimes it takes a bit of courage and luck to make the three point shot and save the day. Sometimes the non-athletes beat the jocks because tossing a paper ball into a trash can is not the same as dunking a basketball.
Bonus tip. (If your teams are uneven, this is a great time to choose the student who struggles a bit and is sometimes a discipline problem...make a big deal out of choosing that student to be the ‘offical’ score keeper. Remind the student that they have to really pay attention and do their best, because the job is SO important. This is a way to give a struggling kid a chance to be good at something, even if it’s just putting tick marks on the board).
Terry
P.s. I learned this game from one of the finest (perennial first division, author of two books, beloved) chior teachers in Texas. Sometimes it is ok just to have some fun with your kids. How you make kids feel is just as important as always striving for winning contests). I’m a thirty five year veteran and I have done plenty of both. Especially in these times, providing students with some fun activities is important.
Re: something fun
Posted by bassrocks on 1/15/2021, 10:12 am, in reply to "Re: something fun"
