Smash Hit Games with the Eggspert

About a month ago, I purchased the Eggspert Quizzing System and began using it in my studio. Since then, I have not stopped raving about how my students and I love it!  Many of you have also purchased the inexpensive system and wanted more details on how I use it in my studio, so I thought I’d post about it.

First, a bit about how the quizzing system works.  There are 2 settings: one where 1 of 2-6 players can press their “egg” which lights up the corresponding egg color on the master quizzing set.  This is the setting I am using most.  The other setting flashes the eggs (as many as you have turned on) and then randomly randomly chooses an egg to light up at the end. You can use this setting to make the students who answer more random.  The white egg, which the teacher controls, clears the lit eggs before you ask the next question.

Here are some of the things you can do with the Eggspert quizzing system:

  • Flashcards Quizzes: Use any flashcards that the students need to review (note names, key signatures, major/minor triads, intervals, etc.)  Divide the students into 2 teams and have them sit at the table with their egg in front of them and their hand on the egg.  Show both teams a card and the first person to “buzz” in and answer in a specific amount of time gets the point. I put my Eggspert on the 5 second timer which will buzz if the students does not answer and you do not clear the system before 5 seconds.  This prevents students from buzzing in if they do not really know the answer right away.
    What I love about this is that it engages all of my students at once! In the past, I have used a call bell on a table between 2 students and then showed them a flashcard.  Only the 2 students by the bell could answer, so the students behind them weren’t always engaged.
    You can also now use the Stinky Stockings cards (for Christmas) and the Stinky Sox cards with your Eggspert as well. You can divide up the cards by category and switch the setting to where the color that comes up indicates a category. Or you can just ask the questions and have the students buzz in if they know the answer.
  • Trivia Game: Make your own version of Jeopardy or other trivia game. Make a list of 6 questions from 3-6 categories.  Show the students the categories and tell them how many points they will get for each questions they answer.  Categories might include music history, piano parts, notes, note values, interval ear training, etc. Begin the game with any category. For example, I might choose interval ear training as the first category and then play an interval on the piano (without letting them see me play it).  The first student who buzzes in and answers with the correct interval gets the point AND gets to choose the next category.
  • Any Challenge Game: You might have some fun using the Eggspert with many games you are already playing. For example, with my beginning students learning steps and skips, I might give them some “jewels” and a laminated staff and give them this instruction, “Place one jewel on the middle line, then show me 2 steps down from that line.” After they place their 3 jewels on the proper places, they can “buzz” in and I will check their answer.
    The Key Words flashcards and  Spelling Bee flashcards on D’Net Layton’s site are also good for this quizzing system.

Some important tips: 

You’ll want to set a few ground rules before you play these games with your students:

  • Take care of your egg. I don’t know how breakable they are (they seem pretty sturdy), but I tell my students to keep their hand on the egg at all times so that they are not slamming their hand down on the egg and possibly break the egg.
  • Set “quizzing out” rules.  You don’t want 1 student from each team to answer all the questions, so set a rule such as this: If you answer 3 questions correctly, you have to sit out for 3 questions.”  If you have a student who rings in just for the fun of it but doesn’t really know the answer, you might say, “If you answer 3 questions incorrectly, you have to sit out for 3 questions as well.”
  • Wide age ranges will still work!  I’ve played a quizzing game with students from age 6-19 and it worked great!  On the difficult questions, of course the older students will ring in and the younger students won’t.  But, you might designate some questions that only certain ages or levels can answer.  When a certain easy question is picked simply say, “Only students who are 6-8 years old can answer.” Or, “only students who  have taken lessons for less than a year can answer.”  For fun, “Only students with black on can answer, etc.

Check out the Eggspert system to see if its right for your studio!  I definitely can call it one of my best investments for 2011!

4 thoughts on “Smash Hit Games with the Eggspert”

  1. Wendy, I’m so glad you shared about this awesome product!! I ordered one after Christmas and had a chance to try it out last week in group lessons with my students. They LOVED it! Thanks for sharing tips on how you’re using it – I think this is going to see a LOT of use in my studio this spring, too!

  2. Yes, thanks Wendy for telling us about this awesome tool! I have been using it in individual lessons also. I just labeled 4 eggs (you could do more if you have more categories), “intervals”, “notes”, “rhythm”, and “keys”. I turned the unused eggs to the “off” position. I use the “Wheel of Fortune” mode, so they have to answer the question for whichever egg lights up. I’ve found it easy to tailor to different levels using easier or harder questions/flashcards/rhythm drills for various levels.
    I’m looking forward to using this in group as well – I know it will be a big hit! Thanks again, Wendy.

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