I turned on my computer first thing this morning and a rather cute bat was looking at me on the search bar. Further investigation reveals that it’s International Bat Appreciation Day!
I had no idea such a thing existed, so later on today I’ll definitely be playing some bat themed music games with my students. I have a few to choose from, but what games involving bats have you played yourself?
One of my favourites is called “Bucket Bats” and is a two player team game for either two students or teacher and student. Play moves back and forth and each person must answer their question before the bat falls from his perch into the bucket. If either player gets three bats in their bucket it’s game over!
The questions are all at beginner level and include a mixture of theory topics such as time signatures, musical signs, steps and skips, stem direction, ties, note naming and more. This will be a great way to check what my students have learnt so far.
I’m also going to play “Spooky Town” (for one player). In this game the ghosts are friendly but the the bats are mischievous and if you tap one, they take away your points! I will use this for students who need practice with beginner rest values (1, 2 and 4 beats).
The final game I’ll play today is more of a music mystery adventure called “The Mystery of the Lost Diamond“. Students learn the sheet music and search for clues in the online games to solve the case. Some of my learners are on chapter two where they get to enter some caves where all kinds of evidence lurks in the dark. If they can crack the question in here the bats will give them a clue!
All of these games are part of one of three Learnatune Games teacher memberships with access to between 23 and over 160 games and resources (depending on which level you pick). “Bucket Bats” is in the Multiplayer games collection and is available within all three teacher memberships, and the other two games are both included in the ‘Presto Teacher’ membership. Find out more here.
