Write the Room activities are all the rage in K-1-2 classrooms, so I thought—why not bring this popular movement-based activity into the music room? Since many of my students were already familiar with the procedures, introducing Write the Room was smooth, even with our limited class time.
Why Write-the-Room?
1. It’s Movement-Based Learning
Write the Room activities allow students to move around the classroom, giving them a chance to "get the wiggles out" while meeting music standards. It turns what could be static learning into an active exploration, which is especially beneficial in music.
2. It’s a Flexible Framework
Write the Room can be adapted to various topics, making it a versatile framework for teaching concepts like music symbols, instrument names, dynamics, rhythm, melody, and more. The process stays the same, but the content changes, so it’s easy to revisit again and again without reinventing the wheel.How to Use Write the Room in Music Class: 3 Simple Approaches
1. Practicing Music “Handwriting”
If you’ve ever "fussed" about stems being on the wrong side of notes, Write the Room can help students get it right. By tracing and writing music symbols as they find them around the room, students get valuable practice with music "handwriting" that will support future composition projects. Start with single notes or symbols and progress to 4- or 8-beat rhythm or tonal patterns as students build confidence.2. Building Music Vocabulary
Naming instruments correctly was a challenge for my students, so I introduced Write the Room to help them work with instrument names in a fun, low-pressure way. After seeing success with instruments, we expanded to music symbols and other terms, reinforcing vocabulary in a way that felt natural and engaging.
3. Assessment Options
Write the Room is also a great assessment tool. One method is to place definition cards around the room and give students a recording sheet with only the terms. Their job is to find the matching definition and copy it down, or even draw a picture of the symbol or instrument. Here are some variations we’ve tried
- Matching Labels and Pictures: Post labels next to instrument pictures for students to practice reading and writing each name.
- Label-Only Cards: Hang just the labels, and let students match by writing the word and drawing the instrument.
- Picture-Only Sheets: Provide students with sheets that have only pictures, and have them find the label to copy down the name.
- Focus on Instrument Families: Sometimes, we focus on one instrument family at a time—woodwinds, brass, etc.—to deepen understanding.
- Numbered Matching: Number the picture and label cards separately, hanging them around the room for students to match.
- Draw and Label by Family: Have students find an instrument from a particular family, write its name, and draw it.
Ready-to-Use Resources
Preparing all the cards and materials for a Write the Room activity can take some time. Between finding images, creating labels, and organizing everything, the prep work can add up. That’s where ready-made resources come in handy—they save time and let you focus on what matters most: teaching!
Feel free to check out my store for Write the Room: Instruments of the Orchestra and other print-and-go rhythm, tonal, and instrument Write the Room activities. Let the rhythm of Write the Room guide your students in engaging, hands-on learning adventures that keep the music and learning in tune!
Thanks for reading!
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