Happy Holidays to everyone! I have to say that this is one of my crazier metronome activities but my students absolutely LOVE it! I came up with the title based on the show "American Ninja Warrior". The obstacle course itself was inspired by Christie Burnett, editor of www.Childhood101.com who calls her activity Don't Ring the Bells! Obstacle Course, I added a few extra things and took out a few to appeal to my youngest to oldest piano students. I created 4 obstacles. I love Christie's idea of adding bells to each of her obstacles. It makes it so much more fun and challenging not to mention festive.
The first obstacle is getting through both hula hoops within 8 metronome beats. I added an extra hoop to mine to make it extra challenging! I think when my kiddos do this next week I'll hang the bells down lower. I decided to wrap the hula hoops in holiday ribbon as an added touch.
The second obstacle is going under the bar and heading to the next obstacle within 12 beats. I also wrapped the bar with holiday ribbon. Next week I'll lower the bar. YIKES!
The third obstacle is jumping over the garland with both feet at the same time landing on marked spots on each side of the garland. They only have 2 beats to complete each jump creating a zigzag pattern. Not sure how I'll change this next week. Maybe I'll have the kiddos jump on every beat. Hmmm........
The fourth and final obstacle is putting a hand through each of the slots of the box within 10 beats; having 10 beats to grab the plastic candy cane from each of the 4 slots.
This obstacle has proven to be the most difficult for my students because I tied jingle bells to each of the 4 wreaths. I found an empty box in my garage that I cut 4 holes into, wrapped with festive paper, and adhered 4 wreaths onto. I dropped a plastic candy cane in each of the 4 slots.
Game Rules:
1. Every student starts out with 60 points
2. Points get deducted if they ring any of the bells while going through, under, and over things as well as going off the metronome beat
3. TWO points get deducted every time a bell jingles
4. FIVE points get deducted if they don't stay on the metronome beat for the specified number of beats each obstacle requires
5. TWO points get deducted for missing the marks while jumping over the garland
6. If a student earns 50 points or more, they get their name and score written on the "Piano Ninja Warrior" wall of fame for all other students to see. Abishai, Amina, Abigail B.,Bolito, Shashwath, Sydney, Lainey, Abby C., Ella S., Jacob, I'mani, Ella L., Mabry, and Chase have made it on the list with Hannah, Carolina, and Emily tied for first place with a score of 58 points each.
Most of the materials needed for the course were things I already had somewhere in my house or garage. The other items like the wreaths, bells, and plastic candy canes, I bought from my most favorite store EVER......Dollar Tree®! This course took a bit of work and time but seeing the smiles on my students faces made it all worth it. Until next time, piano blogger signing off.......
