Hidden Staff

So your student has learned finger numbers and how to play by number (or color). How do you transition them to playing on the staff? The staff can be daunting. All that ink on the page is intimidating and overwhelming. So start by introducing just part of the staff (treble clef, for example) with this fun game.

Supplies:

• White Poster board
• Black construction paper
• Print-out of a large treble clef
• Print-out of a treble staff as a reference

Lesson:

Cut the construction paper into 5 long pieces that fit across that each fit along the length of the poster board (I had to glue two strips together to fit). Cut out the large treble clef. "Hide" these 6 items around the room (I taped them on the wall).

After showing your student the smaller staff and explaining that there are 5 lines and that the funny, squiggly thing is called a treble clef. Then have them find the lines and treble clef. They need to build the staff on to the poster board.

This lesson usually only takes 5-10 minutes, so be sure to use this as just an introduction to the staff. Stay tuned for next week's game of introducing notes on a staff.