Composing in Pentatonic: a guided music composition activity – music composition

Rated 4.99 out of 5 based on 109 customer ratings

This guided composition activity is for students in grades 3–5 who already know the pentatonic scale (do, re, mi, so, and la). Students warm up with vocal exploration, sing four-beat pentatonic patterns, and then arrange those patterns into their own composition.

What’s included

A slideshow with a clickable table of contents
9 vocal exploration warm-ups with high-low, low-high, and same contours, plus create-your-own options
Match It, a game where students match what they hear to the contour on the screen
9 practice slides with four-beat pentatonic patterns, plus 2 two-part challenges
Composition prompts for vocal explorations and for composing with the printable cards
Drag-and-drop Google Slides where students compose by moving pitches and rhythms
Printable do, re, mi, so, and la composing cards, in color (to match colored bells and tubes) and in black and white
Half-page printable worksheets

Formats

PDF
Google Slides: A link is included in your download and lets you add your own copy to Google Drive.

Ways to use it

A composition unit after students learn the full pentatonic scale
Partner work, where students share their compositions with each other
Two-group practice, with one group singing the patterns from the beginning while the other starts from the end
Play the colored cards on Boomwhackers™ or colored bells
To practice reading pentatonic patterns before composing, pair it with Snowball Pitches: Pentatonic.

Standards (NCAS)

Creating: Anchor Standard 1 (generate and conceptualize artistic ideas)
Creating: Anchor Standard 2 (organize and develop artistic ideas and work)
Performing: Anchor Standard 4 (select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation)

License & help

This purchase is for one teacher to use with their own students. Each teacher needs their own copy. See the full terms of sale →

Questions about downloading, printing, or Google Slides? Visit the FAQ →

Save with the bundle

This set is also part of a bundle. See it below ↓

Also included in:

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Composition Bundle: guided composition activities for elementary music
Rated 4.98 out of 5
Original price was: $22.00.Current price is: $19.80. Add to cart

Composing in Pentatonic: a guided music composition activity - music composition

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109 reviews for Composing in Pentatonic: a guided music composition activity – music composition

Rated 5 out of 5

Rachel K. – May 30, 2015

Super Fun. After laminating the sets, we played post office with the cards to be more familiar with the patterns before composing.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – May 31, 2015
  
  That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the feedback 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

Songbird Serenade – April 27, 2015

I love your resources! I really like the progression and organization.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – April 27, 2015
  
  Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

Rochelle Mann – April 21, 2015

Excellent resource!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – April 22, 2015
  
  Thanks!
Rated 5 out of 5

Julia K. – April 16, 2015

I am excited to be using this in my classroom. As an instrumentalist teaching general music I was intimidated by solfege. I needed materials that would engage my students and help me learn along with them. This has been a great pack! Thanks!!!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – April 16, 2015
  
  Thank you Julia! I’m so happy to hear that it’s helped you and your students. Thanks for leaving such thoughtful feedback 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

Ann S. – March 10, 2015

Gave this to my music teacher friend. Thanks!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – March 10, 2015
  
  You’re welcome!
Rated 5 out of 5

Kelly Whittle – March 5, 2015

Haven’t had a chance to use this yet but looking forward to using it with my 3rd grade students.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – March 5, 2015
  
  Thanks!
  
  P.S. I’m your newest follower 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

MAUREEN K. – March 1, 2015

Thanks for this. A great resource
- Yellow Brick Road Music – March 1, 2015
  
  You’re welcome 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

Danielle B. – February 24, 2015

Thanks!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – February 26, 2015
  
  You’re welcome!
Rated 5 out of 5

Fiona H. – February 3, 2015

Fantastic.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – February 3, 2015
  
  Thanks!
Rated 5 out of 5

Erin Dunne – January 6, 2015

Thanks!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – January 6, 2015
  
  You’re welcome 🙂
Rated 5 out of 5

Smarty Pants Music Plans – January 2, 2015

Thanks, this will be fun for my class.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – January 3, 2015
  
  You’re welcome!
Rated 5 out of 5

Joanne O. – January 2, 2015

Thank you so much for this resource. I am always so happy to have new ways to tackle composition. Perfect!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – January 3, 2015
  
  That is so great to hear! Thank you so much for your feedback!
Rated 5 out of 5

Carla W. – December 2, 2014

This was a great way for my students to be successful with composition. Thanks!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – December 3, 2014
  
  I’m glad it was helpful. Thanks for the feedback!
Rated 5 out of 5

Katie T. – November 25, 2014

I cannot wait to start this after Christmas break! I’ve been looking for a tool to help with composition! Thank you!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 25, 2014
  
  You’re welcome!
Rated 5 out of 5

Shannon N. – November 18, 2014

What a great product! Can’t wait to use it this week!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 18, 2014
  
  Thanks Shannon!
Rated 5 out of 5

Katie H. – November 15, 2014

looks awesome can’t wait to use it 🙂
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 15, 2014
  
  Thank you!
Rated 5 out of 5

Marlise – November 5, 2014

I have just begun to explore the possibilities with this product. I can’t wait to begin using it. I was simply looking for a fun way to approach composition with my 2nd graders, but this will be appropriate for lots of grade levels. This one is a keeper for sure!!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 5, 2014
  
  Thank you so much for the meaningful feedback! I truly appreciate it!
Rated 5 out of 5

Rikka D. – November 2, 2014

This looks like a fun composition project! I can’t wait to try it in class!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 2, 2014
  
  Thank you!
Rated 5 out of 5

Busy Fingers Happy Learners – November 1, 2014

This is great! I’m so excited try this out at centers!
- Yellow Brick Road Music – November 1, 2014
  
  Thank you for the great feedback! By the way, I LOVE your rhythm flies!
Rated 5 out of 5

Kristen P. – October 31, 2014

Composition is always a challenge for me to work into my lessons so I look forward to using this tool to help me make it more relevant for my students.
- Yellow Brick Road Music – October 31, 2014
  
  Thank you for the great feedback Kim!

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