Have you ever considered doing project based learning in music class? Maybe something like a composer research project? One of the benchmarks that I was struggling to teach well in my classroom was composers. So this year I decided to make the process a little more interactive. I decided I was going to have my students create a pretend social media profile – think Instagram or Facebook-style – for a composer of their choice.
Why Do Project Based Learning?
One of the new trends in learning these days seems to be project based learning. When students are involved in a project, they take a long and focused dive into the material. Students tend to learn better and retain information longer that is gained during project based learning.
They are also more invested in the learning, as they typically get to pick some portion of the topic that they are going to learn about.
How To Do a Composer Research Project
Step One: Get to Know the Composers
I did a quick preview of the famous composers we would learn and had the students take notes, so that when it came time to choose a composer, they would have a more informed opinion.
Step Two: The Draft
After students had learned a bit about each composer, I had them find a partner. You could also have students work independently, but we didn’t have enough computers to do that. Partnerings was a good solution, and also gave them a study buddy.
Each set of partners pretended like they were a sports team getting ready to draft their top player. However, they needed to have at least one backup choice in case their composer was chosen by someone else.
It is probably a good idea to have more composers than you have groups, so that every student group feels like they have options.
Step Three: Research
I was lucky enough to be able to get use of our school’s computer lab for a week so my fifth graders could research their composers. Another solution that may work at your school is a mobile laptop cart, or even a trip to the library. You could even set up centers in your room with books and ipads for researching the composers.
I gave each group a composer research worksheet that detailed what type of information they should look for to put on their Fakebook profile. We also discussed using a CREDIBLE internet site versus just Googling random links. I made them all start out at Encyclopedia Britannica. Then, for additional information they could go to MakingMusicFun.net and ClassicsForKids.com.
Step Four: Make a Profile
Students got a Fakebook profile worksheet. They transferred their information from the research sheet to their final draft. Next, they were able to use their imagination to create posts that their composer might have said. They listed people from the composer’s life in the friends section. Then, they listed famous songs they wrote, as well as their birthday and where they are from.
Step Five: Compare/Contrast
The last day is a day to look at all the finished projects and learn something new about the composers. We finish off with a compare and contrast assignment.
The students get a Venn diagram. They go around the room and read about other students’ composer profiles. Then, they have to compare their composer with another one, writing down similarities and differences.
Do Your Own Composer Research Project
If this project sounds like something you might want to try in your own classroom, you can check out my pre-made Composer Research Project kit. It has all the worksheets and directions you will need for a great research project for your students.
You can grab it at my store, or on the TPT marketplace.
Like this post? Check out these:
Five Engaging Ways to Teach About Famous Composers
9 Responses
I’m just curious if you are willing to share your worksheets and rubric for Compose Yourself! A Fifth Grade “Facebook” Project.
I love this and would like to do it with my 6th grade general music class. I teach middle school music in Hudson, WI. It’s my first year as a middle school teacher. eek!
thank you for your consideration.
Lori