Fourth Grade Gets a little Spooky with Recorder Compositions

As a fun Halloween activity, Fourth graders worked in pairs or small groups and collaboratively composed a short piece for the soprano recorder based on the chant "Two for Me." They used the rhythmic pattern based on the words of the chant as a reference, but changed the words to fit the Halloween theme. Students were told that they could use the notes they already know-B, A or G. They could use notes in whatever order they wanted. The notes needed to match the rhythmic pattern of their words. Here is an example of the original chant and one of the Spooky Compositions:

"Tea for me

Tea for you

Tea for the elephant

At the zoo!"

Original Composition

Brains for me!

G         A       B

Brains for you!

      B        A      G       

Brains for the Zombie at the grave!

                                                      G         G   G    AA       B A    G

Friends collaborating to find the spookiest words and best note choices

Friends trying out  their ideas

Students then performed their original Halloween chant while followed their recorder compositions for their friends while Keisha accompanied them on the bass xylophone. The result was a spooky musical delight!