Big Blue Jello Cards

The big blue jello cards - set 1 (16” x 4”) are used to teach a fun vocabulary of rhythmic words for reading and writing rhythms, understanding note and rest values, and notating compositions. They contain the same sequence of 58 patterns as the blue jello cards - set 1 (8.1” x 2.1”) and are designed for beginning music students or those new to Music Mind Games concepts.  Included are guide cards showing the Blue Jello words, drawings and hand signs. There are two new guide cards that show equivalent note and rest combinations with the Blue Jello drawings. Like all Music Mind Games materials, the big blue jello cards are not used as flash cards. Instead, they are read together and students learn by imitating the pronunciation, steady beat, and tempo of their teacher's voice.

The big blue jello cards are designed for classrooms, choirs and other large groups. They are used to play games and can be used independently and/or in combination with blue jello cards - set 1, real rhythm cards (spring 2011), blue jello word cards, blue jello rhythm puzzles, magic notes and magic wands.

When used with games from the book Music Mind Games, these cards help all levels of students:

• learn the difference between a note and a rest
• learn a fun vocabulary to read single notes, rests and note groupings
• learn to keep a steady beat when reading rhythms
• learn a vocabulary to identify rhythms by listening
• learn the relative values of basic notes and rests
• learn to divide notes and rests into measures
• learn hand signs to understand how notes and rests are drawn
• increase finger dexterity
• read musical scores with confidence
• prepare for games using rhythm bingo cards, blue jello word cards, rhythm playing cards and notes and rests cards (spring 2011)

Key Features of the Cards:

• the Blue Jello hand signs provide kinesthetic learning
• each new note or rest is introduced one at a time. The new note or rest first appears on one card in context with previously learned notes and rests. The next card features only the new note or rest. This sequence is followed by several cards with the new note or rest and previously learned notes and rests.
• colored borders help students stay focused
• the centers of each card are white so they are easier to read
• the pacing and sequence of the patterns is well thought-out
• cards have various numbers of beats so when time signatures are learned, one  meter doesn’t feel “more correct” than another one

Game 1: Blue Jello Cards
GOAL:  To teach students a vocabulary for reading rhythms

Initially these cards should be used in order. Each Blue Jello symbol is introduced one at a time and then practiced with previously learned symbols before a new one is introduced. This provides repetition and enough new material to keep students engaged and entertained.

Game 2: Blue Jello Dominos
GOAL:  To read rhythms with a fun twist

This game is best taught and played without talking or sound. This attracts everyone's full attention, creates a more polite environment and helps students internalize the sounds of rhythm. Students create a domino pattern by connecting cards to each other with common rhythms.
Dictation Clean-up:  Blue Jello hand signs make it possible to clean up without sound. A card is signed in rhythm for students to find. This delightful play increases their ability to memorize and use correct pulse and rhythm.

Game 3: Blue Bar Lines
GOAL:  To introduce counting and the concept of measures

Counting:  Pieces from the blue jello rhythm puzzles are used as bar lines to mark measures in various time signatures.

Game 4: Double Bar Sit Down (by Courtney Preston)
GOAL:  To practice rhythms, steady tempo and use musical expressions

Everyone chooses a card with five beats. Standing with the cards inside the circle, everyone says and signs their card at the same time. Using two beats, everyone moves one card to the right and again says and signs their new card at the same time. This continues. When back in front of their original card, everyone says “Double Bar Sit Down!” and sits down laughing and clapping. To play again with even more animation, each person chooses a few music symbol cards to enhance their card.