Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart!
Vince Gowmon
Imagine there are two music rooms! In the first one Mrs Andante is teaching little Sophie the piano. They have just played some scales, with the teacher testing each one in turn, and now it’s time for some music theory. Mrs Andante opens the theory book and talks for a several minutes while Sophie listens. Then she fills in some of the numbered exercises.
Let’s go next door. Mrs Vivace has also planned to do some music theory with piano student Ben, but this time there is no book. Just a tablet or computer! She loads a game and Ben’s eyes light up. It’s time to play Pharaoh Fred.
Mrs Vivace drags the notes into position on the stave, focusing on those that Ben has learnt, and asks him to work out which are steps and skips. Ben has a go at moving the notes into the correct places himself and there is even a scribble pad so he can draw the notes on the stave and reinforce his understanding. The teacher marks his efforts and it gets added to the total game score.
Then it’s time for Ben to sail down the Egyptian river in his barrel searching for the treasure that Pharaoh Fred stole from him. He needs to watch out for the waves though or it could be game over!
Which room would you like to be learning in?
Used in the right way, games can be a powerful teaching tool and help consolidate what a student is learning. They are great for not only improving existing knowledge but understanding new concepts of music theory too. Learning becomes practical, hands on and more engaging.
Games like Pharaoh Fred can be found in Flashcard Fun and are ideal to put some excitement into music lessons. It includes a collection of customisable teacher led games playable on tablets, computers or smartphones, and teachers can add extra engagement with the downloadable leaderboard templates for additional motivation.
Find out more about how to access Flashcard Fun here and let me know if you have any questions.
