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Punch Cards in Music Class

So, have you ever had an idea that just bugged you until you sat down and got it started?  Well for the last couple of months it has been PUNCH CARDS.   Sounds weird, huh?  I have several decorative hole punches.  One punches hearts, another music notes and another a little star.  I've wanted to find a way to incorporate them into my workstations rotation and I think I've done just that!

These are the Instrument Family Punch Cards.  Around the edge are the names of instruments.  Each card asks students to punch the name of all of the instruments in a specific family.  What a fun way to do student assessment!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Misspelled-Instruments-Punch-Cards-1263924

My plan is to use the Instrument Family Punchers with 3rd graders.  We do a BIG unit on instruments of the orchestra.  This in combination with the instruments exit tickets will be a great way to do formative assessment.

With fourth grade I do a general review of instruments and add some spelling games during line-up time or if we have a few minutes left at the end of a period.  I think I'll try out the Punch Out the Mistakes set with them.  They have to find the five misspelled instruments, write them with correct spellings on the back of the card and punch out the incorrect spellings.

 More than a reward or an incentive, these punch cards are a fun way to assess student knowledge.  Use them in your classroom like an exit ticket or maybe part of a workstation rotation.  Student engagement and behavior aren’t a problem with this great idea!
I've also created some cards to help students differentiate between words that describe dynamics and words that describe tempo.  These are a little bit tricky for some students.  I'm looking forward to seeing if a little extra time on the topic will improve their understanding.  Take a look at those HERE.

You can get these punch cards at my TpT store.  I'll be adding them to my other stores later.  I'll be creating some for note identification, pitch identification and rhythm identification.  Can't wait to get started on these!  Do you have any ideas for things we can punch in the music room?

More than a reward or an incentive, these punch cards are a fun way to assess student knowledge.  Use them in your classroom like an exit ticket or maybe part of a workstation rotation.  Student engagement and behavior aren’t a problem with this great idea!

7 comments:

  1. This is a great idea! I loved (and still love) using hand punchers in school....it's a great assessment tool at the same time. Off the top of my head, this would be great for units that I do throughout the year with different grades like Peter & the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals and The Nutcracker as a quick review or assessment at the end to take home. I'm really excited to snatch some of these up for the $2TuesdayMusicFlashSale!

    Also, this might be a dumb idea, but would this be a way to review classroom rules/expectations at the beginning of the year? Or, what they would like to learn about most in music for the upcoming school year? Just thinking of new ways to start off the year instead of same old/same old.

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    1. I love the back to school idea! I think I'll do a set with some interest inventories and maybe a do this/don't do this kind of thing for music class. I'd love to send you this set for free for inspiring it. Email me at jasontracyjoey at yahoo dot com and mention this. It may be a week or two as I'm gearing up for Branson right now. Thanks Christine!

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  2. Fun ideas! Bring a set to Branson for us to see! Where do you get your punches?

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  3. Well..once upon a time I was quite the avid scrapbooker. Right now I WANT to scrapbook often, but don't think I'll have time until Sophie is a little older. I've collected them from scrapbooking stores, Walmart, Target, etc... Here's a link to some that are similar to mine:
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Darice-Hole-Punches-3-Pkg-3-16-Heart-Star-Circle/13432531

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  4. What a great idea! Would you consider putting these on your Teachers Pay Teachers Store because I wouldn't even know how to begin to make them look as cool as you did?

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    1. Oh my goodness! I can't believe I didn't link that up! LOL You can go here to get them: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Punch-Card-Bundle-for-Music-Class-1263969

      Thanks so much for your interest. I hope you have a great time with them! :-)

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  5. This is great! I don't have any punchers, but I may have to start a collection!

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