Halloween Compositions Extended

Building on our “Simple Halloween Compositions” activity, there are so many creative possibilities to explore! What starts out as a simple 1-measure composition can grow into a variety of musical experiences. With a little imagination, this single activity becomes the springboard for endless opportunities where students can create, explore, and truly make music their own.

Here are a few ideas that will be fun for kids, but will still reinforce important musical concepts:

1. Now that each group has a set of 3-5 one measure compositions (from the last lesson), kids in each group can:
   • Put their compositions together in an order they like (try out an order, say it out loud together, rearrange, as needed). Have them perform it in front of the class either chanting the colors or using body percussion.

1. • Choose instruments that represent their group composition and perform that for the class. For example, if their group composition focuses on ghosts, what instruments could they play to illustrate that? What instruments sound like ghosts?
2. With each group having a 3-5 mm piece that they can play on instruments, you can make it one longer piece. Have each group play their piece either with a measure of rest in-between each group like THIS or played consecutively.
   • You can also insert a TALA after each group’s compositions and have them improvise on their instruments.
   • If you have a Halloween song that your kids love, use the song as the A Section and their classroom piece as the B Section. They can either chant the scary words or play it on their instruments.
3. At this point, the text doesn’t create sentences that make sense. It’s just silly and for fun. Now that kids have taken that out for a spin, it’s time to refine it a bit:
   • Kids in the early grades are learning about nouns, verbs, and adjectives. For a great cross-curricular activity, look at your three lists of words as a group (quarter/ 2 eighths / 2 eighths with one quarter) and have kids identify each word as a noun, verb or adjective. Then have kids create a sentence together as a group that fits into a 4/4 frame using at least one noun and one verb. It is a good idea to do this A LOT as a whole group before sending them into small groups. They will need the practice.
   • Here’s an example, use the word bat as the noun, creepy as the adjective and flew as the verb: Creepy bat flew _____. Set it up on a frame:

• • There is space left over in the measure. What should we do with it? FIRST, what lengths fit? A quarter? An eighth? 2 eighths? A half? They will have fun figuring it out!
    • A quarter note:
      • Use a rest (a great time to introduce it or reinforce it as how we account for the space. Also there are 2 sides to every Note Knack ~ a sound side and a rest side)? Do we not want a sound?
      • Use a quarter and add a clap, a hit on a drum, etc.. OR add another word that would make sense like “back”?

• • • • • 2 Eighths:
          • What sound would we like? (Again, great time to point out that instead of using 2 eighth rests, we can simply use a quarter rest). 2 claps, 2 hits on a Boomwhacker? Add another word like “over”?

4.  Dynamics are another great way to bring a composition to life! How can changing the volume make their compositions more interesting? Have students use piano (soft) for words like “tiptoeing” or “sneaking,” then switch to forte (loud) for a sudden crash or a big, dramatic “BOO!” It’s a fun way to reinforce dynamics!!

Here are just a few ideas to get you started, but I am sure that as you do this with your kids, they will have wonderful suggestions to enhance their compositions and make them as silly or spooky as possible!! Happy Halloween!!