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Hi Friends,songwriting is one of my favorite units to teach. Here are my tips and ideas for teaching songwriting in music class.
My 5th and 6th graders really get into it and it is a great way to get to know your students. I like to kick off the unit with sharing some of my favorite activities with them and then have them share back.
Since I love to road bike and try to get out doors as much as possible, it’s fun for them to see me in a different way.
Each summer I get the chance ride up in the mountains and learn what it means to really climb a hill.
Although it’s hard, I have some tricks I use to keep my mind focused on the task at hand- pedaling. So, I write songs to keep distracted!
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.
I’d go slidey, slidey, slidey over every-body’s hidey,
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.
Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap, bar of soap.
I think that I was wishing pedaling is as easy as washing hands with soap!
Since I only see my students 1 time a week, I realize that it will take longer to get them to compose anything. So I use this beginning idea that usually works for everyone.
A simple, yet effective tool to help students get composing is to use a familiar game song.
Here are the basic steps:
Sing, play and learn the music and then introduce the idea that they could change the words and create and compose their own song.
You might try using a familiar song.
“This Old Man” is easy to use and well enough known to most students. I also integrate creating ostinato (i) and note reading in this unit.
I like to begin songwriting with easy and very doable lessons to help students gain confidence in their ability to compose.
Here’s the link to the “This Old Man” Music Lesson Resource
Even though you may not have started teaching songwriting, it’s never too late. I created a freebie for you to use in your classroom.
This easy songwriting activity is a great ice breaker to get to know your students and introduce them to songwriting.
I’ve made it pretty flexible so that whether playing xylophones, keyboards, ukuleles or guitars, you’ll be able to use the activity.
Like this post? Share this fun activity with your music teacher friends!
Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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2 Responses
thank you so much for sharing your experiences and ideas miss…..It was a great idea and very helpful for my music teaching strategies…God Bless you and family…
You are welcome! I’m glad you found something useful to use here at Sing Play Create.