Songwriting has always been dear to my heart. As a child, it was a way for me to express a snapshot of my feelings through sound and lyrics I couldn't quite speak verbally. I used to write a song and then eagerly discuss the meaning with my parents. They would of course, shower me with positive reinforcement which made me feel good about myself and closer to them. Later, I pursued a degree in songwriting from Berklee College of Music. Songwriting has been the passion of my life and something I love teaching others. This article will discuss the importance of songwriting in the elementary classroom and give a few ways you can include it in your own lessons.
Why Teach Songwriting? Songwriting gives students the opportunity to become active participants in making music instead of passive listeners. The music classroom should be an active space for hands on learning experiences. Songwriting gives students a chance to explore the interaction of melody, harmony, and lyrics together in this way. It is an opportunity to turn music theory ideas into real tangible music. Songwriting can be a fun project for elementary students who can work individually or as a group and share with the class. Songwriting builds confidence in students and fosters personal exploration of themselves. How to Teach Songwriting to Elementary Students
The possibilities for composition activities are limitless. Creating lessons that graduate in difficulty from kindergarten through the fifth grade help songwriting to become a familiar experience for students which they can be confident about and eventually do with ease. From simple call and response activities in kindergarten to writing full three minutes songs in the fifth grade, students will be active participants in making music and enjoy the process of creating. You may even have a few students bring you a song they wrote at home. I hope these ideas help you in your lesson planning. Please leave a comment below about how you incorporate songwriting and composition in your class.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Angela BondMusic Teacher/ Musician/ Owner of Plum Rose Publishing Categories |