DIGITAL COMPOSING IN MUSIC CLASS OR AT HOME

One of my favorite manipulatives to use with my students are mini erasers. You know the ones; they’re adorable, and every season Target comes out with new ones. Dictation and composition are much more fun for kids when they’re using pizza slices or smiley faces, right?! During distance learning, I still wanted to reinforce our rhythmic learning. Usually, I’d take out the trusty mini erasers, like you can see in this blog post. …But this time it wasn’t an option. Enter: digital composing. Continue reading to learn about a freebie for you!

TAKING IT DIGITAL

To continue composing, I created resources on Google Slides that the students could interact with in Edit mode. First, I provided pre-done patterns that the kids could use like flashcards. Then, I included two pages with composition options. On the composition slides, students could move squares with fun icons to the blank boxes to create their own patterns. Then, they could say and clap their four-beat or eight-beat pattern. I encouraged them to make as many combinations as they wanted, and they could even screenshot or send their compositions back to me. Seeing their compositions made my music teacher heart happy!

If you want to assign these to your own students, copy and paste the link in the resource into the text box for your assignment on your digital learning platform. The link creates an automatic forced copy. Each person who opens from the link creates their own copy, so that they do not make any changes to anyone else’s version. When you download the resource, I’ve included a screencast video explaining how to use this resource for you, and another one for your students. You can include this tutorial video in your assignment to be an example for your kids.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Although I originally created these files for distance learning, I fully intend on using them when we return to the classroom. I can open one of the files on my school laptop, project it on my interactive whiteboard, and the students can drag icons to create the patterns.

I used to print, cut, and laminate pictures, and attach magnets to the back. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against printing out little stars or apples, etc. But why not work smarter, not harder? Being on a cart this upcoming year is a real possibility for us all because of COVID-19. I’d much rather bring my laptop to hook to the classroom teacher’s SMARTBoard than pack up a bunch of little manipulatives. Besides, those manipulatives might also need to be sanitized between class periods. Now instead, kids can use the touch screen to build their rhythms. Students can take turns coming up to the board in a whole group lesson, or they can do this activity in a small group with devices.

I’m very excited about the various options. And with the different themes for the files, kids will love to see what’s next. Some are seasonal, some go with books we read, and some go with our songs. Ten years into teaching, I want my resources and materials to have multiple uses! Click here to see the different digital composing resource options. They are available in original, literature edition, seasonal/holiday, or in a large growing bundle.

WANT A FREEBIE?

If you would like to try out digital composing, I have created a free resource, composing with zoo animals. Just below my signature on this post, you can sign up to get access to the freebie and all future materials added to the free resource library.

Happy teaching!