Arrangement Project 5th Grade

So... this was my new idea for addressing Colorado Music Standard 2. Creation of Music. The 5th Grade Grade Level Expectation is for students to compose, improvise, and arrange melody with rhythmic accompaniment.  I use Precorders from Suzuki Music.  The precorder allows for earlier success than the recorder, with raised finger holes, side markings for hand placement, and a warmer tone with less squeaking.  5th Grade students had been working through Recorder Karate at their own pace.  Following Thanksgiving Break we worked on some Holiday tunes I gathered.  For their arrangement project students chose groups, then a song.  Students were given a worksheet with the rubric.  Instructions included that within their performance two people must play the precorder, the 3rd and 4th student could sing, dance, or play a rhythm instrument. Several students started asking other questions.  In the end I had students play the piano, bring and play an electric guitar, and a ukulele.  While many of the performances were less than musically accurate, but I enjoyed watching the kids create, work together, and produce performances they were proud of!