Boxes

This is another handily versatile game that you can use with students of all levels and simply adjust accordingly.  As they get more confident, you can then gradually make it more difficult using the suggestions below.

Instructions 

Draw several boxes with a plus sign between them and an equals sign at the end.  Put in an answer at the end and ask the student to draw a note or rest in each box to make the desired total.

Benefits

  • Reinforces note and rest values
  • Practises drawing notes and rests
  • Problem solving
  • Working out the question require more initiative then working out the answer!

Simplify

  • You can use the same notes multiple times
  • Start with just the basic notes and draw them out with the beats labelled for reference
  • Smaller answer numbers
  • They can choose how many boxes there are 

Develop

  • Harder target number
  • You cannot use the same note/rest twice
  • Smaller target number that therefore requires fraction i.e. 4 boxes to add up to 1.5
  • Limit the notes/rests they can use
  • Time limit? (not for the feint hearted, so use this cautiously) 

Click on a button to download your free exercise