Students have 16 prewritten melody cards to choose from, to create four and eight bar phrases to play on their recorders. Two playing card options are given, cards with just the melody notation on the staff, and a second set with pitches written below the notes on the staff. This activity is great for meeting the national standards for composing and arranging, and also provides a different venue for practicing simple melodies. This activity can be done by individual students, groups, or while students work in centers. Teacher directions, student directions, playing cards, and a B A G recorder fingering chart are included.
Add this game to your classroom recorder toolbox. It is available at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.
Great idea! However, I can see some kids falling in love with their melodies and wanting to preserve them. Do you have an ipad app or computer program that you recommend for notation? Having the kids write their own music by hand seems to take them forever! If we use technology, hopefully the process will be faster, neater, and more efficient. We could also save their work more easily and use it for sight reading, sight singing or for the creation of a class song book (kids who finish early could even write a title and lyrics for their little melodies).
ReplyDeleteWe use finale for composition. I haven't found an app I love yet, though. I guess the cards could be numbered and students could write their favorite numbered order to write in another class period. To practice, arrange, and write down might be a lot for one station or class period. I see your point to having an opportunity for kids to save their work. I guess cards could be printed for each student and they could take them home to share as well.
ReplyDeleteJust found an app called Symphony that does notation. May add that to the apps to purchase list!
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