As an elementary school music teacher, I’m required to integrate core subjects into my curriculum. Since I only see each class for 30 minutes a week, I introduce one song per month and we play games to reinforce what was learned.
I take about 5 minutes before beginning my usual lesson to either play a song or to play games. We play partial games throughout the month (just for about 5 minutes) for practice. We only play full games about once a month and the winner of the game gets a prize.
The Multiplication Freeze Beanbag Game uses the same rules as the "hot potato" game.
Material(s):
– One beanbag or a ball
– Skip-counting multiplication songs, such as those on Multiplication Jamz
Directions:
Play a song from Multiplication Jamz while passing the beanbag. This can be done in a circle, or students can stand in their own personal space. When the music stops, the person holding the beanbag must say the next word in the song to stay in the game. For example, if the song is Counting by 4s, and the words are 4, 8, 12, the music stops and the next word would be "16." If the student answers correctly, he or she stays in the game, if not, he or she is out. Then the music begins again and the winner is the last one standing.
The Multiplication ‘Round Game is a circle game.
Material(s): No materials are needed for this game.
Directions:
Everyone stands in a circle. Each person has to skip count beginning with any number from 1 to 12 to begin. For example, if the first person begins with the number 4, the next person would say 8, then 12, and so on. The sequence may be repeated over and over (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 4, 8, 12…).
If someone hesitates or says a wrong number, he or she is out. Then, the next person automatically begins with the first number of the sequence, which in this case, is the number 4. I like to begin each round by saying, “1, 2 start with you”, and I point to the student who’s next in line.
Make Your Own Videos!
In addition to games, if you know how to use any movie-making software, you can make your own music video featuring the students in your class. Just write the lyrics to the songs on construction paper and make a slide show or movie of the children holding them. Children love seeing themselves on television, so this a great way to get them involved. (As always, make sure that you have parent’s permission to display this video outside of your classroom.)
Listen to Counting by 6’s from Multiplication Jamz in the audio player, below.