So, you've taught students how to read music, using rhythm, solfa, and letter names, and now you want to have them compose. But where to begin? Just this year, I've really started delving into composition projects with my students, so I thought I'd share some ideas. Up until now, I think I've been so focused on teaching students how to read that I didn't feel like I had time to have them compose. However, after doing some reading on the subject and attending some great workshops, I realize that composition projects are doable in the general music classroom, even if you only see your students once a week. Here are some ideas for composing with your students: #1: Composing with pictures I first happened upon this idea at a workshop with Jay Broeker (who is an AMAZING presenter, if you are looking for a clinician.) He had us composing patterns with bee pictures, and I had an a-ha moment: you can compose without specifically knowing rhythms and melody, AND without writi......

So, you've taught students how to read music, using rhythm, solfa, and letter names, and now you want to have them compose. But where to begin? Just this year, I've really started delving into composition projects with my students, so I thought I'd share some ideas. Up until now, I think I've been so focused on teaching students how to read that I didn't feel like I had time to have them compose. However, after doing some reading on the subject and attending some great workshops, I realize that composition projects are doable in the general music classroom, even if you only see your students once a week. Here are some ideas for composing with your students: #1: Composing with pictures I first happened upon this idea at a workshop with Jay Broeker (who is an AMAZING presenter, if you are looking for a clinician.) He had us composing patterns with bee pictures, and I had an a-ha moment: you can compose without specifically knowing rhythms and melody, AND without writi......

Hi everyone! Since it's November, so here is my five favorite pins linky party! Here is my list for this month; just click each picture to view that pin. Also check the end of the blog post for a fun Pinterest contest! #1: Dalcroze Eurhythmics Exercises I just created a new Dalcroze-inspired board , and was excited to pin this to the board! These exercises could easily be used in the general music classroom as  way for students to internalize beat, improve inner hearing, and more! #2: Composing with stickers I just pinned this to my new board, Composing in the Music Room . What a fun way to have students write on the staff!  #3: Land of the Silver Birch, Canoe Song, and Counter-Melody I have done Land of the Silver Birch and Canoe Song as partner songs, but have never heard this counter-melody with it. Beautiful! #4: Drum Circle Ideas Elizabeth from Organized Chaos wrote a really comprehensive blog post about doing drum circles in your music classroom. SO helpful! #5: In the H......

When I first began teaching, I used worksheets quite often to assess student understanding. As I've gotten older and more experienced, I have realized that there are so many other ways to assess! However, there are times when I believe worksheets are really the best way to assess. In this post, I'll write about all the ways I love to use worksheets in the music room. To trace Sometimes, after teaching a melodic or rhythmic concept, we want to jump right away to dictation. But students are not always ready for that step...they first need the chance to simply copy a rhythm or note onto the staff. Tracing worksheets can be GREAT for that. You can have students trace over a circle on the staff and color it in (reinforcing where that note goes on the staff) and they can also trace over a rhythm to understand exactly how to write it (especially with rhythms that are trickier to write, such as ti-tika and syncopa!) Below is a picture of my third graders a couple years ago completing t......

When I first began teaching, I used worksheets quite often to assess student understanding. As I've gotten older and more experienced, I have realized that there are so many other ways to assess! However, there are times when I believe worksheets are really the best way to assess. In this post, I'll write about all the ways I love to use worksheets in the music room. To trace Sometimes, after teaching a melodic or rhythmic concept, we want to jump right away to dictation. But students are not always ready for that step...they first need the chance to simply copy a rhythm or note onto the staff. Tracing worksheets can be GREAT for that. You can have students trace over a circle on the staff and color it in (reinforcing where that note goes on the staff) and they can also trace over a rhythm to understand exactly how to write it (especially with rhythms that are trickier to write, such as ti-tika and syncopa!) Below is a picture of my third graders a couple years ago completing t......

With this blog post, I'm hoping to give you lots of ideas to specifically address rhythmic reading and writing! Some of the ideas I will describe in this blog post, some will link to other blog posts, and some will link to freebies and other products. #1: Popsicle stick writing: I wrote in detail about popsicle stick writing in this blog post on my collaborative blog, the Kodaly Corner. #2: Dry erase boards: Having students dictate on dry erase boards can be a great way to practice rhythmic writing. I ordered my own set of 30 individual dry erase boards and markers, but I've heard that some people will buy a big sheet of dry erase board from Lowe's and cut it up themselves. Either way, you can hand out the materials, clap rhythmic patterns, and have students dictate those patterns. You can also have students create their own patterns, and/or write the entire rhythm to a song or chant. #3: Turkey rhythms: I write about this fun small group project in this blog post . You co......