I would have greatly benefited from a rhythm music theory game as a kid.
Because my ear was so good, I was able to slip my way through piano books 1-3 without actually counting.
I was in John Thompson 4 when my teacher realized I didn’t actually know note values and how to count music and I could no longer fake my way by how I thought it should sound rhythmically.
Needless to say, there were quite a few tears shed through the music of John Thompson 4 as I had to meticulously count my way through the challenging pieces.
Do you have a student like me?
Those who can fake their way through counting?
Or maybe you have a student who still struggles to remember note and rest values.
If so, then a rhythm music theory game just might be a great solution.
What is Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game?
Counting Caterpillars will help your students build measures with correct rhythms so their caterpillars can metamorphosize into beautiful butterflies!
But life isn’t that easy, even in a rhythm music theory game.
Three challenge cards can either aid your counting caterpillar or hinder them (everyone wants the Metamorphosis card but are scared of the Rainy Day and Windstorm!).
Counting Caterpillars is February 2023’s Music Game Club membership game, available now in the shop. Get Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Building game here.
Here’s a look inside Counting Caterpillars:
- Formatted for letter size and A4 printing
- 2 game boards (you can print as many as needed, but you only need 1 per student)
- 6 specialty cards
- 42 note and rest cards
- “I Flew My Way to the Top!” success poster
- Color-by-time-signature activity sheet
How to Play Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game
In this rhythm music theory game, players will take turns drawing cards and creating measures for four different meters (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4).
When a measure is complete, the student will clap and count the measure for the caterpillar to metamorphose into a butterfly!
The first student to create all four measures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4) wins!
Watch our video tutorial to see how easy it is to set up and play!
Don’t see the video above? Watch it here on YouTube
How to Play Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game for Group Music Lessons
Counting Caterpillars rhythm music theory game is very easy to adapt to a group of 4-6 players.
The only extra prep you’ll have to do is printing one game board per player.
If you have limited playing time, you can assign a time signature token to each student instead of them trying to work through all four time signatures.
If you are playing with more than 6 students, you may need to print an extra set of cards or divide the students into two smaller groups.
Counting Caterpillars Music Game Success Poster
We believe that celebrating with a success poster will build student rapport!
The students have a goal to work toward (taking a picture with the success poster) and you can send the picture to the parents as a way to showcase what their child has achieved during lessons.
It’s a win-win!
These also give you great material for social media posts (be sure to tag @musicgameclub so we can celebrate with your kiddos!).
Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game Activity Sheet
Once the student has completed the Counting Caterpillars game, you can further help them solidify their music theory knowledge with the activity sheet.
We like to combine art with our music activities, so you’ll often find our activity sheets with an artistic angle.
For Counting Caterpillars, the students will color-by-time-signature.
This will help familiarize them with the different time signatures.
More Ways to Play Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game
There are 42 note and rest value cards to give you multiple opportunities to play rhythm cards games.
Here are two game ideas I love.
1. Counting Caterpillars Battle Rhythm Game
Remove specialty cards.
Divide the rhythm cards evenly between two players.
Each player flips up their top card.
The note or rest with the highest value wins and that player collects both cards.
If the players flip up the same note value, it’s a “battle.”
There are two ways to win a battle.
First, each player flips up a second card and that highest card wins.
Second, the players can lay down three cards face down (“bonus cards” for the winner) and flip up a fourth card to see who wins the battle.
You can determine which variation you prefer.
When all the cards have been played, the player with the most cards wins.
Or, if you have plenty of time to keep going, the players use their “winning stack” to go against each other again until one player ends up with all the cards.
2. Music Math Rhythm Game
This is a great group game alternative.
Remove specialty cards.
Deal each student the same number of cards (you can decide if it’s 3 cards, 5, 7, 10, etc.).
At “go!” all students look at their cards and start counting up how many counts they have in their hand.
For added fun, put a bell in the middle of the students and the player who figures out their cards first can ring the bell, lay down their cards, and give the total number of counts in their hand.
If you have friendly competition in your studio, you can track who has the most counts in their hand and add them up over a few rounds.
Do you have more gameplay ideas?
Let us know! We love experimenting with our games and hearing what you do!
Behind the Scenes of Counting Caterpillars Rhythm Music Theory Game
You know we like our “behind the scenes” development pictures! It never ceases to delight me how our sketches are transformed by Kristen and her team into a beautiful, timeless music theory game!
Want Music Game Club membership?
When you sign up for Music Game Club membership, you will not only get the game of the month (like Counting Caterpillars), but you’ll always receive:
- A monthly music game (formatted for 8.5” x 11” and A4 printing)
- An exclusive Music Game Club membership group
- Video tutorials
- Themed success posters to go with the monthly game
- Bonus activity review sheet
The membership is only $15/month and you did read all of the above correctly.
You get so much that will help you boost student morale and make you a favorite music teacher this year.
You won’t lose the momentum and excitement all year!
Your students will start anticipating the first of every month to see what new game you will thrill them with!
Want Counting Caterpillars but don’t want to sign up for the membership? You can get Counting Caterpillars here.
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Find More Games from Music Game Club Here:
- LINES AND SPACES MUSIC THEORY GAME STARFISH STAFF
- MUSIC GAME FREEBIES & BONUSES
- FREE MUSIC DYNAMICS GAME: DYNAMIC DEN
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