If you only do one thing related to piano lesson prep this summer, let printing out our WunderKeys printables be that thing! Once a week through the summer we’ll be sharing simple, multi-level (not just preschool!) game-based activities that can printed out, placed into a binder and pulled out for use at a moment’s notice.
If you already have a WunderKeys binder full of printables, then you’ll be happy to insert today’s Rainbow Rests Activity into the primer-level section. Keep reading below for game and download instructions.
Reading Rests At The End Of The Rainbow
When introducing rests, it’s wise to include a variety of teaching methods to help students internalize counting beats of silence. If you teach young children, you’ll know that rests tend to be ignored rather than embraced. So, the next time rests make an appearance in your students’ music, get off the bench, use rhythm instruments, use full-body movement… or use today’s printable (see download instructions below) to make it “stick”.
How To Play
Your youngl piano students will love reinforcing their understanding of rests as they search for gold at the end of the rainbow. Get off the bench and have a blast as you and your students build your fortunes.
- To begin, players use pennies to cover all of the rest images on the game board (one penny per rest).
- Next, Player 1 removes pennies (one at a time) until the combined value of the revealed rests matches the number of beats in a measure of 4/4 time. When this happens, Player 1 keeps all of the removed pennies. However, if Player 1 removes pennies and accidentally exceeds the number of beats in a measure of 4/4 time, all pennies removed during the turn are returned to the game board.
- Player 2 repeats Step 2. Players continue alternating turns until one player collects six coins and wins the game.
Where To Find Today’s Printables
We love sharing “kid-friendly” printables that are visually appealing and fun to use! To make all of our printables easy to find we are putting them up on WunderKeys.com. These printables coordinate with our WunderKeys Method Books.
Click here or on the image above to access today’s printable. While you’re happily printing, be sure to take a look at our completely re-vamped WunderKeys Piano for Preschoolers books. We’ve made it so easy to teach piano lessons to children ages 3-5!
Amy says
Another fabulous, quick-and-easy resource! I love that the instructions are right on the game board itself; great for sending home from a games library! I’m always a bit surprised that some method books don’t introduce rests right from primer level, so I incorporate games like these into the mix. Also, anxiously awaiting the what-I-know-will-be-awesome WunderKeys Primer and Level One books! Thanks for all you do, Andrea and Trevor!
Betsy says
Thank you so much for these exercises. I teach my 9 year old grandson and he really enjoys these off-the-keyboard games. I love them because they are helpful to reinforce and emphasize fundamentals in a fun and effective way.
Andrea says
So glad to hear it, Betsy! Thanks for taking the time to comment – it means a lot to us 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you, again! I love how easy all of these activities are to use! Last week as we were finishing the Father’s Day composition a student asked me, “Where do you find all of these fun things for us to do?” I opened his binder to the Piano Book Club book he had just been playing out of and said, “Same place I get these.”. He noticed your name and said, “You must really like that Andrea Dow lady,” and I told him, “No, I LOVE her!” 🙂