Theory Game Handcrafting

I'm a crafter by nature, and enjoy bringing out that part of me in handcrafting games for my students.  I've come across some of the most incredible websites of loving and dedicated teachers who create games for their students and willingly share with others.  The game that I handcrafted pictured above is The Funny Farm game, and came from the direction and inspiration of a delightful teacher named Anne Crosby.  Her students are truly blessed.......because she comes up with the most incredible ideas that make learning piano/theory both fun and exciting!  The name of her site is called PianoAnne, and  can be found here:  http://pianoanne.blogspot.com/   Be prepared to be "wowed" when you get to her site!!  There are so many informative goodies for both teachers and parents.  Check out her printables!  (Oh, my goodness!!!  Fun overload!)

To make The Funny Farm Game, I used the following materials:
-Piano Anne Funny Farm Game Card
-6.5x8.5 Unfinished wood frame, centered (can find at Michaels)
-Paint (blue, green, red, yellow, white)
-Black Sharpe pen
-Pencil
-Paper cutter or scissors
-Foam with adhesive backing
-Farm animal erasers (can find at any dollar store or school store) 

Directions:

Storage area for some of my books and games

Paint your unfinished frame white.  Next.....work on pre-drawing your lines with a pencil.  Place your frame in the landscape position.  Beginning on the top left side near frame opening, drawing a long vertical line until you reach the bottom of the frame. Repeat the same process for the right side of the frame, in the area of the frame opening. Turn the frame in the vertical position.  Do the same....drawing a line at the left and right opening from the top to the bottom of the frame.   In doing that, you have created your corner squares, and have made it easier to measure the centering keyboards.  To make your keyboard, starting at the end of the first corner square, draw lines  2cm apart until you reach the next square.  Continue that process from the next square onward.  Once you have drawn all of your lines, and they are to your satisfaction, re-draw the lines with a small Sharpe pen.  Next, begin working with the adhesive foam for the black keys.  I cut out 1/2" strips using a paper cutter.  From those strips, I cut a succession of 13/16" strips in length.  I then adhere the strips onto the frame in groups of 2's and 3's.
 
If you don't have time to handcraft the game, Anne has the funny farm printable board available! Her post is located here: 
http://pianoanne.blogspot.ca/2013/03/funny-farm-printable.html
Many thanks to her for not only being of encouragement to her students, but spreading that love to other teachers!

Second view of my storage area.

I love purchasing and handcrafting games for my students.  It makes my day to see them experiencing the ultimate joy in learning, and feeling confidence, as well as a sense of accomplishment from the wonderful things that they are taking in.  To see more of the theory games that we play at my studio, visit my photo galley, and click on "Studio Fun" and "Theory Putting".