Squirrel Fun! Dynamics Matching Game for Large Group or Music Center

Have a little fall fun while reinforcing dynamics terms and symbols. Play a lively full-group game, or use as a more low-key center activity. Print in full color, grayscale, or blackline printing. Also included are two recording sheets for centers, a bonus craftivity that could be used as a bulletin board display. New for 2022: Easel Activity.

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Dynamics Terms

pianissimo

piano

mezzo piano

mezzo forte

forte

fortissimo

crescendo

decrescendo

Dynamics include options for using either soft or quiet as the English term for piano.

Standards-Based: National Core Arts Standards for General Music

8.1.2 a Demonstrate knowledge of music concepts and how they support creators’/ performers’ expressive intent.

Game time!

Print and cut out one set of squirrels (choose the set that uses your preferred terminology-soft or quiet), acorns, and leaves. Laminate game pieces for durability.

Large Group Game Directions: Give each student one game piece. Leaves and squirrels form one large circle around the room facing the center. Acorns sit scattered in the center of the circle. On a signal, either individually or all at the same time, squirrels should walk around the center of the circle until they find their matching acorn, then they walk together to find the matching tree. Squirrel and Acorn sit on the floor next to Leaf to signify they are finished. Play as a race, or time individual teams to add some friendly competition.

Small Group Center Activity One: Shuffle the game pieces like playing cards. Distribute to each player. First player places one piece in the center, the next person either plays on top with a matching piece or starts a new pile. If you wish to have a “winner” to the game, then allow the person who plays the final piece to each pile tocollect that set. The person with the most sets wins.

Small Group Center Activity Two: In four-person groups, one person is the timer, one person is the checker, and two people are the players. The object is to complete the matching sets in the shortest amount of time. The checker verifies the sets are correct using the answer sheet, and the timer should record the time on a piece of paper. Then trade jobs – timer & checker are now the players.

Individual Easel Activity: Assign to students via Google Classroom or link. Students click on the acorn & leaf images that match the squirrel, then check their answers. When students finish all 8 slides, they click the Turn In button to submit to you for feedback.

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