One of the most fun activities my students love is playing “Note Races.”  What you do is go outside to the parking lot (one with no or very little traffic) or any area that is paved or cement.  

Then, I have a few students draw five manuscript lines about 6-8 feet long with about 2-3 feet of space in between the lines.  

Next, divide the class into two teams and have them line up behind the bottom line.  Once they are ready, I call out a note name and the first student in each line races to the line or space of that note.  I declare the fastest student to the correct note the winner, give them a point, and then they go to the back of their team’s line.  I usually play to ten a few times. This is a great game to play with a substitute, because they don’t have to know anything about music.  In fact, I leave my note flashcards for the sub to use as a reference.  The students love playing the game and the best part is they are getting better at reading and notating music notes!   

Submitted by Ashley Davis