Using Scale Blocks with Young Students

• Mix up an octave or two of scale blocks and have students place them in order – forwards and backwards.

• Place one or a more blocks on their corresponding keys, and have students fill in the remaining blocks.

• Mix up all of the blocks and have students draw them at random, placing them on their corresponding keys.

• Start an egg timer. Point to a key and have students grab the corresponding scale block. Repeat and see how many blocks can the student collect before the timer runs out!

• Repeat activity four - but instead of playing a key, display a flashcard of a note on the treble or bass staff. 

• Draw a staff on a blank sheet of paper and have students place the blocks the proper lines/spaces.

• Choose a word that can be spelled using the music alphabet, draw the needed blocks, and have students build it on the keyboard.

• Choose a word that can be spelled using the music alphabet, draw the needed blocks, and have students build it on the lines and spaces of the staff.

• Mix up the blocks and have students draw them at random, placing them in a row on the music rack as they go. Then have them add rhythm to compose a song.

• Repeat any of the activities above, but reverse roles and let the students “teach” you! Be sure to make lots of silly mistakes for them to correct!