A quick google search for "free music composition software for elementary students" revealed several promising possibilities. The National Association for Music Education's website includes an article which discusses a piece of software that could work for my students - Soundtrap. The features that caught my eye were the cost (free for the basic version), already prepared loops, and being able to record audio. The website offered the following additional information:
Another app that might be of interest is flat.io. There are several features that caught my eye, including the following:
The major stumbling block to using this site for me would be the cost. While it is low-cost (starts at $1.50 per user per year), the total price for all of my students to have access would be $700-$800 per year. More research would need to be done to determine the grade levels that would benefit most from this app before I would want to approach my principal to ask about funding.
I do believe that there are technologies available that would be beneficial in my music classes, especially in the areas of improvisation and composition. Determining when traditional composition methods or technology would be more appropriate for my students is an important step in the process, as well as finding technologies that are user-friendly and cost-effective.
References:
Bauer, W. (2014). Music learning today. New York. Oxford University Press.
Hayden, M. (2017). Create/compose...and the technology that can help. Retrieved from https://nafme.org/create-compose-technology-can-help/
Hi Amy!
ReplyDeleteAs a former elementary music teacher myself, I know the intimidation factor of hearing "composition" and "improvisation" in the gen music setting. But as you said - you do a lot of it without even realizing it! I am Kodaly trained, so using alternative notation is something that came naturally through Kodaly. What kinds of manipulatives do you use with your students? When I first introduce quarter and eighth note with 1st graders, we practice writing with popsicle sticks, wikisticks (wax ropes) and writing on white boards. Even if students can't accurately perform their rhythms, they get SO excited to make up their own "songs."
I haven't used flat.io with students, but I have used the plug-in available on the Google suite. We're a Google school and everything is based on the cloud. For me as a teacher, using the flat plug in for Google docs is a slick way to insert musical snippets into a document for either my personal use or for student use. It's not as user-friendly as some other composition softwares and editing is a pain (in my opinion).
Have you ever heard of or used Incredibox? (https://www.incredibox.com/) At one point they had an M&M's candy version called Bite Sized Beats (I wasn't able to find it - it may be discontinued). It's awesome for elementary kids - it doesn't use traditional music notation (which also makes it great for a sub plan if needed). There's an app, but I've only used the web based version on the Smartboard. Students click and drag different elements to create electronic loops of music. There's also special videos they can unlock by creating the right combination of sounds (a huge hit for the littles). I've always wanted to try to expand it into a larger composition unit, but I never got around to it.
I "inherited" some plastic shapes (not enough to be called a class set, but enough to use in a large group activity) of plastic shapes that are the stems/beams of quarter and eighth notes as well as a "Z" for quarter rest. The kids love getting to take a turn making a pattern and having the class clap it. I use mini shape erasers to represent mi and sol, and I have cookie sheets with tape "staves" and magnets to represent notes. I also have Music Go Rounds manipulatives that are supposed to be used on the smart board - but I haven't yet figured out how to put them on the board without the sensors thinking that I want to go on to the next slide! I do use them without the smart board, and I have rhythm sets, a boomwhacker set, and even a Carnival of the Animals set. I had not heard of Incredibox - I am going to check that out, thanks!!
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you have been having your students create/compose their own music before you even realized it. It's something that I struggle with, which I based my post on for this week.
I really find that since I only see my elementary classes once to, no more than, twice every week it is difficult to develop more complex thinking with them. It's not that I don't think they can do it; it's more of me doubting their ability to create when, for some quarters, I see them for a total of 9 times. That's not a lot of time to squeeze in composition, or so I think. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to add in creating music to my lessons when I already feel like I have to cram things in to each lesson? I had my field experience during undergrad from grades 4 through 12 and I did not observe very much from an elementary music standpoint, so I'm hoping you can give me some tips to better my elementary music teaching.
I might be making it all harder than it needs to be, though. Keeping things simple is something I have to remind myself about all the time it appears.
Have a good weekend,
Brendan R Keiper
Brendan,
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! I only see my classes once per week (if there isn't snow...an assembly...teacher in-service...). I think the composition activity I tend to do the most would be rhythm based. When we learn a new note, I have slides with pattern boxes where we practice the note in conjunction with ones we already know. Then most of the time the next step is to have them compose a pattern. (usually very simple - four or eight beats) They have to write it on a worksheet, choose an instrument, practice it. Then we sing whatever song we are currently learning and they play their pattern to accompany the song. Sometimes we take turns playing, and sometimes everyone plays their pattern at the same time. Chaos, I know - but they love it!
I am struggling with figuring out what is important for me to teach in the limited time I have as well. Our district is going to be revamping our curriculum, so I am excited to dig in and get a better focus on my whole program from the top down. I'd love to hear more about what you find to be the vital things to cover in the limited time you have!
Thanks for the thoughts!
Amy