Piano Bingo

I try to include Sight Reading, Note Recognition Practice, Rhythm Practice and Scales in each group lesson. My iPad and my Piano Workout cards play a big part in my success in doing this.

Another tool that helps me to do this with the elementary and middle school students, is PIANO BINGO. 

I created a bingo board with all the things I want my students to work on throughout the year. The Piano Bingo board is a part of the student packet along with their Piano Workout card.

Each time a student completes a task, they color the associated square on their Piano Bingo board. When they get 5 in a row, they can pick a prize from the prize box. 

On the Piano Bingo board we have the following tasks:

• MTA Sight Reading - MTA Sight Read Plus gives 40 sight reading exercises per level in 12 different keys. The students use the MTA Sight Read Plus App with headphones at a keyboard. To color this square, the student must complete a level of Sight Reading (both Left Hand and Right Hand).

• Note Tests - Using the Piano Notes Fun app, students must correctly name 40 notes without making any mistakes. 

• Rhythm Swing Practice & Play - To color this square, students must complete a level of Rhythm Swing and win the crocodile challenge.

• Complete Fantastic-30 Pieces - My students are on a challenge to learn 30 pieces by the  end of the school year. We call this our "Fantastic-30" challenge. When they have learned 2 or 3 pieces, they get to color one of these squares.

• Scale Test - Those who have learned more than one scale are tested regularly on their scales. If they can play them all without error, they can color this square.

• Play 2 memory pieces in the same lesson - Students are encouraged to memorize recital level pieces. When they have memorized 2 pieces they can play them in the lesson to color this square.

• Stay on the A-Train for  4 weeks - Students score a practice grade after each lesson. If they have practiced well, they score an A. Scoring four A's gets them a ticket onto the A-Train. If they stay on the A-Train for 4 weeks, they can color this square on the Piano Bingo Board.

• Learn a piece on your own - I encourage my students to be independent and to try learning pieces on their own at home. If they do this (even if there are a few errors), they get to color this square on the board.

• Perform a group piece - We do a lot of ensemble music where each student has a different part to play. Once the group can perform an ensemble piece at recital-level, they can all color this square on their bingo boards.

• Play at a recital or concert - This includes performances at talent shows or in church as well as our studio recitals.

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• Complete your method book - When students complete their method book and move up to the next level, they get to color this square.

Students are always excited to make a Bingo. Often they ask if they can work on a specific square during the lesson because completing that task will give them a Bingo.

Next year, I am modifying the board to include more pieces to learn on their own and more performance squares. I'm probably going to do away with the "prize per bingo" and replace it with a decorated noticeboard showing the student with the most Bingos.  Students are always proud to see their name on the Winners Board.