Treble Clef Playing Cards and Ickle Ockle Disappearing Song

Now, I don't know about you, but EVERY year I have kiddos that have a hard time grasping that a eighth note on the "G-line" is a "G," but a half note on the "G-line" is also a "G."  Even though we've gone over note heads and placement on the staff since first grade when we first learn about so-mi this is always new to some of them.  In 3rd grade we start absolute pitch and singing it with folk songs they do okay with it but once they go to transfer this knowledge to recorder playing it all goes awry.  So, I'm going to try something else this year while we are in full-fledged staff reading and recorder playing mode.  We're going to play some known card games using these:

 Here you can see the sets:
Just like with regular playing cards, there are four sets but the sets are now based according to rhythm. So, there is:

1. an eighth note set
2. a quarter note set
3. a half note set
4. a whole note set.

Within those sets, there are twelve pitches on the staff, ranging from middle C to G above the 5th line.  I also included an "Ace" card so that there are 52 cards in the deck, just like real cards.  And you can also print out a Joker card if the game you want to play requires it, or you can print out an "Old Maid" card for playing that game.

So, here's an example of how this will work.  Let's say that you're playing "Go Fish."  In "Go Fish" you must make pairs across sets.  So, an example of a pair would be the eighth note first line "E" and the whole note first line "E" card. Are you with me?  Here's an example of cards that would work as sets of pairs or four of a kind, because their pitches match:

In my packet I've included some game instructions.  My other thought is these games would go GREAT in a sub bin!

Oh, and want to try my card game with my kiddos with these cards.  And I KNOW it's going to be a disaster the first time (or two, or three).  I would love to try to play Rummy with these.  My Granny and I played Rummy all the time.  It's really complex and if you want the directions, you can read them here http://www.ehow.com/way_5533691_directions-card-game-rummy.html

The main idea is that the students make sets of three either by having the same pitch (so 3 cards with the pitch middle C would count as a set) or by making runs of three or more of the same set.  So, and example of this would be to have first line E, first space F and second line G, all of the whole note cards.  Make sense?  Like I said, this will be complex!

Now, to differentiate even farther, I made a set of cards that have the traditional card symbols behind them to easier identify the sets (this will help with that Rummy game again!):

Or to make it harder, I made a set without the traditional card background, like these below:

These are available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  If you get them and have some fun card games to go with them please let me know!! :)

I have my third la "Disappearing song" posted on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  Unfortunately I can't show you how fun this PPT is!

First of all, we review the song:

Remember that little crab on the picture two slides ago?  He comes out and says the box in quotes down below, but since he's an animation he's off to the slide in this JPEG:

Again, the crab is missing, but he's giving the students directions on how to sing the song again:

Again, you're not getting the full effect but slide by slide fish swim across and "eat" the rhythms.  Each time after the fish swims by the crab comes out and make a little comment and asks the kids to sing the song in its entirety, including the beats that are now missing.

And the song and game are also included:

You can download it here.

I hope you're having a GREAT week!