Solfa and Absolute Pitch Blocks

 Well, I "think" I have an original idea with this, but who knows.  Since school has started I feel stretched pretty thin between teaching, having a kindergartner (that attends my school), spending time with my two year old, planning a birthday party for my kindergartner and trying to get my extra-curricular choir, drum ensemble and two tone-chime choirs up and running, so it's been a little while since I last posted.  Well, without further adieu, here's my "original" idea:

Solfa & Absolute Pitch Blocks:  I bought wood math manipulative blocks from our local teacher store (Banks School Supply).  It was about $8 for a pack of 96 blocks.  I really like the wood blocks: they fit perfectly in the staves that you can pick up at your state music conferences and you can write on them easily with a Sharpie.  I decided to make do pentatonic blocks: there are two sides that have do, and one side of each of the following- re, mi, so & la.  I made enough for each student to have a set of 8 blocks.  From this, independently they can write a simple 4 beat dictation (if eighth notes are the most complex rhythmic element) or working in pairs or groups, they can do more complex patterns that contain more then 8 pitches).

After I bought the 98 wood blocks for $8 at the teacher store, I found foam blocks at the Dollar Tree.  I loaded up on these: there are four colors.  With the blue bocks, I made Absolute Pitch Blocks.  For these I used a do hexachord (that is do, re, mi, fa, so la), with G=do.  From this, the student can use them to write in both G-do and C-do and they can write the first 6 pitches that they learn to read on the recorder (I teach B-A-G first; then add high C & D and low E & D).  Here's what they look like compared to the Solfa blocks:

Now, I used a metallic Sharpie marker to write on the Absolute Pitch Blocks.  This was a PAIN! The blocks absorbed the ink and it took me more then 5 markers to complete all the blocks.  I also tried foam markers.  These were even worse.  I couldn't even finish 20 blocks with these (I did not try the Elmer's brand.  I can't remember the brand I used as I quickly returned them to the store.).  I did create some ta, ti-ti and ta rest blocks with the remaining blue blocks.  For these I used a black Sharpie.  This worked better, but the blocks still absorbed the ink.  Any hints for writing on foam are greatly appreciated!!! :)