Composition in the Elementary Music Classroom Yael Rothfeld


Composition is a very important component of the elementary school music curriculum. It is a part of music where students are able to create with a sense of understanding, take risks within a certain set of rules, and are encouraged to be different. It is where students can feel they own the music because they have created it.


As there continue to be cuts in music education, many of us as music teachers are seeing our students for less time and are given more that we need to do with our students. Sometimes it can feel as if there is so much to fit into the time we have, that it can get overwhelming. However, I find that composition activities are well worth the effort it takes to do them.


When I add composition into my curriculum, it changes the atmosphere of the class. Many times unexpected students step up as leaders. When my students share their work with others, their self-esteem grows. It even causes the students to have a greater respect for each other and it helps to strengthen the positive classroom environment I strive to have.


Here are just a few ideas of ways that I incorporate composition in the music classroom. Some of these activities can be done in a short amount of time, while other activities will involve multiple class times.


Create Lyrics for the Song “Aiken Drumm”


Begin with a song to which students can easily create verses, such as Aiken Drumm (see Figure 1). This type of activity can be done successfully with younger grades such as Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade. Have students create new verses to the song. Here are a few examples my students have created: And his fingers were made of french fries… And his hair was made of licorice… And his legs were made of spaghetti...


Figure 1. “Aiken Drumm” song notation 23


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