- Definition
Invented notation is when your child uses their own unique drawings or symbols to show their thinking, like using a picture of a sun to represent "day.
A student might use a jagged line to represent a sharp, loud sound and a wavy line for a soft, quiet sound in their own musical score.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Invented notation is like creating a secret code with a friend, where your own special symbols stand for words or ideas.
Ask your child: How could you draw a symbol to show a 'loud, sudden' sound?
Common mix-up: Kids might think this is just doodling without rules. Invented notation is a personal system where each symbol has a specific, consistent meaning.
Examples
- Creating symbols to represent different dance moves, like a spiral for a spin and an arrow for a leap.
- Using simple drawings to map out a character's movements on a stage, like a dotted line for tiptoeing.
invented notation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
