Note of the Week Dry Erase Project…with free printable!

Christmas is just a little bit over a week away. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for your music teacher, student(s), child, or someone else who this might work for, here’s an easy and inexpensive gift that you can put together with just a few things. I think it was inspired by this project.

​Supplies:
this free printable available in the Fischarper Teachers Pay Teachers store
picture frame with glass or some kind of clear covering (check the thrift store!)
dry erase markers

Assembly:
Are you ready? Print the page linked above, and pop it in the frame. Wrap it and gift it with some dry erase markers, and bam! (almost) instant gift. If the paper shifts around, just try taping it to the back or to the frame.

How to use this:
However you want! In the examples I’ve given, the student writes the letter on the lined section, writes in the note in treble and bass clefs, traces the string on the harp, and writes the letter name on the corresponding piano key(s). I like the idea of using blue (or purple) for F and red for C. Even for piano students…..then they have that in their brains if they pursue the harp one day. 🙂

As a teacher, you can assign a note a week or month in your newsletter,  and encourage parents to hang this in a prominent place and review everyday. It could be hung by the table and discussed during breakfast or dinner (or lunch if the student isn’t in school), or by the door, where the students must say the name of the note, trace it, point to the key, same the color of the string, etc. as a “password” to enter or exit. You can also have one hanging in your studio and use it similarly.

Benefits:
fine motor skills
non-electronic (electronics are fun and all, but there’s sooooo much screen time! I really believe it’s important for children to have balanced lives apart from electronics. Of course, I’m typing this on a computer and posting it on the internet….)
Letter recognition
Handwriting practice
Relationship between notes on page, harp, piano, alphabet.
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How will you use this? Please share and tag me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or post below in the comments!

-Barbara

Check out another free printable music activity here.
Or if you need some other Christmas gift ideas, see this roundup.