Rhythm and melodic dictation activities are an effective way to help students understand and become proficient with standard notation. Once students understand that notes written on a staff are a graphophonic representation of the music they hear, they will become much more capable readers. 
 
Every music class can include a short dictation activity.  The dictation exercises included are organized in a sequence that the author has found to work well, but repeat and vary as your students’ needs require.