Snowman Songs

The 1st graders composed their first instrumental pieces using high (B), middle (G), and low (E) pitches. They notated whole notes onto a 3 lines staff, making sure their notes went left to right. They had to use a combination of at least 6 pitches in their piece.Once they were finished, they played their compositions on a choice of hand bells or boomwhackers. I had several sets set up around the room so that students could play their composition, and then go back to their spots to make any changes to the piece that they thought might sound better. Once they were satisfied with their composition, each student got to perform their piece for the class.


*This lesson was adapted from The Snowman Song lesson found in the book "Kids Can Compose" by Nicole LeGrand.