Scales are an inescapable way of life for all musicians who take their craft seriously. Scales are the musician’s note palette and pitch organizer, and an essential building block for understanding key and tonality. The exercises and activities included will: establish a thorough understanding of how fingering icons work; build on previously acquired staff literacy skills and understanding; bring students to an awareness of how scales function as two tetrachords and how all major scales are the same basic pattern; and, help students understand the relationship between scales within the circle of fourths and the circle of fifths. These activities may be useful during the first four years of band instruction; less experienced students need more time, more advanced students will take less time. This resource is a component of the Collaborative Learner-Centered Experiences for Middle School Band Series by Paul Hutten.