Creative Activities for Teaching
For about two years, I opened a piano studio and began working as a traveling piano teacher to young beginners. One of my favorite parts of being an Instructional Designer and Piano Teacher is getting to create fun activities for learning. It’s one of the most creative parts of both jobs and it makes the learning experience more engaging.
With my younger students, I find it a little challenging to hold their attention for the span of our 30 minute lessons. One of my piano mentors told me to create little games that hold their attention so I created a Tic-Tac-Toe game that will help each student accomplish what is needed for that day’s lesson.
Many of my students were thrilled and said that this was a really fun activity. We got through our lessons fully engaged and they even wanted to play again.
Game: Tic-Tac-Toe
Objective: To accomplish as many tasks as possible to attain three Xs or Os in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Instructions:
Arrange the activity cards 3x3 on a flat surface and distribute the Xs and Os. Let the student decide which one they want.
The student places their card on top of an activity card. Then, the student will perform the activity.
The teacher chooses an activity card for the student to perform. If the student performs the activity well, the student gets to place their card on top of the activity card. If the student did not perform the activity well, the teacher places their card on top of the activity card.
The first one to attain three in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonoally wins.
One of my piano students interaction with the Tic Tac Toe game created to improve engagement and add more fun to our lessons.