Submitted by Jane Campbell, British Columbia, Canada
Idea posted February 19, 2002
My school has NO CHALKBOARDS, only whiteboards. I originally went in search of a chalkboard and couldn't find one anywhere, so I ended up buying a whiteboard from Costco.
The whiteboard I purchased came with a roll of black tape (not the kind of tape that sticks like Scotch tape, but the kind that sticks like Cling Wrap) that I made my own musical staff with. Right now, I am using a two-line staff to teach soh and mi to the primaries.
I also made up little tiny magnets by drawing on construction paper. I have hearts (general use), little doggie bones (Doggie, Doggie, Where's My Bone), little witch hats (Witch, Witch, Fell In A Ditch), raindrops (Rain, Rain, Go Away), autumn leaves (Autumn Leaves Are Falling), and that's all I've got so far. I laminated all of the tiny pictures and put magnets on the back - the kids are always excited to see the magnets that accompany a new song.
I get a lot of use out of the whiteboard because it is portable (about 3 feet x 2.5 feet). It balances perfectly on a music stand if I want to use it for the bigger kids. And last but not least, it is magnetic! By the way, I have about 2000 pieces of chalk for sale... just kidding!