I LOVE when January rolls around each year. January is when my 5th graders make their own recorder compositions. We make a BIG deal about these! We perform them for each other (yes, I make one, too!). We vote to award each other Grammy type recognitions. We have a red carpet (butcher paper) and have an emcee along with special talent show acts for our awards ceremony. It's one of the most memorable moments of the whole year.
So, how do we pull this off? Make it simple!
I give the students very simple building blocks to help them create their composition. We focus on easy rhythms and review only 5 recorder notes. Keeping it simple is key. This is the first time my students put together their own rhythms with notes, not to mention playing those notes and rhythms on their instrument. It's a lot to think about.
We begin with reviewing five notes in the pentatonic scale - B, A, G, low E, and low D. I have the students complete a worksheet where they fill in which holes are covered on their instruments. In the same worksheet, they need to place the corresponding note on the staff. This helps them link the two ideas together as they compose.
Next, we review rhythms. These are usually easy for my students to recall, but it helps to have all of the information right in front of them before they compose. I stick to quarter note and rest, two eighth notes, half note, and half rest. If we get into more complicated rhythms, the students have trouble playing their compositions. I notice the students feel much more successful when they keep the rhythms simple. They are more likely to play their composition correctly with minimal practicing.*
*Students who do not have experience practicing music before have a super limited attention span as they prepare for a performance. If they play it well, they will likely spend more time practicing.
We, then, compose eight measures of rhythms. I have the students clap their rhythms and ask them questions like these:
- Can we make this sound more like a final ending? (longer, slower notes?)
- Is there a part that is too difficult that we can make easier?
- Can we make any repeated phrases or motives?
When students are proud of their rhythm creation, they start to add the pentatonic notes by penciling them underneath. They can play their recorder to hear what it sounds like. making changes as they like. Once they are happy with their piece of music, they can put their entire composition on the staff. This is their final copy.
If you are interested in the format I use for this project, check out my product on teachers pay teachers!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Recorder-Composition-Project-for-Music-Class-6558127
What kind of compositions do your upper elementary students love to make?
