Thankful for Composers Bulletin Board

Right before Thanksgiving, one of my schools has a Thankful for Writing Day.  It used to be Thankful for Books Day, but with this change of focus this year, I wanted to create a connection to music with the hallway bulletin board.  Hence, a bulletin board dedicated to writers of music!

I made two quick posters: "We are thankful for writers of music :)" and "Thank you composers!" and pulled out posters I had already made of manuscripts from different composers (see this earlier blog post).  I added printouts of my students' latest compositions so they would be represented (and thanked) too!  And thanks to our general music teacher for adding compositions that her students had written as well!

Flashcards on Quizlet

After making paper copies of flashcards and seeing so many sheets in orchestra folders still not cut apart (thus, clearly unused), I went the digital route this year.  On Quizlet, you can take existing flashcards and modify them for your purposes.  Since I only have a free account (which means I cannot upload images), I used existing images of notes but organized them by instrument and string to get all the different sets that I wanted.  I was unable to find an existing image for the viola's high E (4 on A) when I was creating these, so that image is missing.  Oh well.

I do like that students do not need to be a member of Quizlet in order to access the content.  There are also several options for studying and learning the material on the website including a timed matching game.

Here is the short explanation I share with students followed by the links to Quizlet (right-click on the link and open in new tab to keep this page open):


These links will take you to Quizlet, which should work on both computers and iPads. I recommend using the "Flashcards" option and the "Matching" game. Some of the other activities/games do not work so well (such as "Gravity") because you have to type up the entire answer formatted exactly as I did, with both the letter name and the fingering. Sticking to the "Flashcards" and "Matching" options will give you plenty of practice identifying the different note names and finger numbers!

Be sure to click on the link for YOUR instrument!

OPEN STRINGS

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

D STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

A STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

D and A STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

G STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

G, D, and A STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

E STRING NOTES

• Violin
• Bass

C STRING NOTES

• Viola
• Cello

NOTES ON ALL 4 STRINGS!

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

Hope this will save you some time!  Feel free to make a copy for yourself and modify as you like!