At every lesson, WunderKeys students learn to complete patterns using Finger Friend manipulatives (available to teachers on the member’s portion of this site). This valuable activity helps to strengthen musical skills (being able to identify and predict patterns and sequences in music) as well as math skills (being able to recognize and predict number patterns).
Today we’re sharing 3 new ways you can use your patterning manipulatives!
1. Numerical Awareness:
Draw a circle on your whiteboard and place 3 Finger Friend manipulatives inside. Ask your student to first count the Finger Friends, and then to draw the number 3 beside. Add or subtract manipulatives and have your student re-count and then write the new corresponding number beside. Alternatively, write a number beside the circle and have your student place the correct number of manipulatives inside the circle. This activity can then be turned into a “more than, less than” activity if you have two circles with two sets of numbers on the same board.
2. Same vs. Different:
One of the concepts covered in Book 1 is “Same vs. Different”. This is an important pre-reading concept that can be expanded upon using the patterning manipulatives. Create two groupings of Finger Friends (either groupings that are the same or groupings that are different) ask your student to “Circle the group that has Finger Friends who are the same” or “Circle the group that has Finger Friends who are different.” You can expand upon this activity by making “Same, same, same, change!” arrangements for students to move to physically (clap, clap, clap, jump) or to play on the piano.
3. High Vs. Low:
By drawing a single line through the centre of your white board or piece of paper, you can create a high-vs. low board. Arrange Finger Friends above or below the centre line and ask “Who is high?” and then “Who is low?” Next, place 3 Finger Friends in a varying “high and low” arrangement, and have your student play corresponding high and low keys based on what they see. Alternatively you can play high and low sounds on the piano and have your student arrange the Finger Friends above or below the line according to what they hear.
Looking for more tips and sharing? WunderKeys now has a Facebook group! Check it out and join in on the discussions here.
