Introduction
Music fundamentals including notation, rhythm, note values, and note names is the focus of this webquest. The students will learn to compose a short melody using creativity and emerging music knowledge including the pentatonic scale.
Task
While working in small groups, students will write an 8-measure composition in 4/4 time using the instrument(s) of their choice.
Process
1. Divide into groups.
2. Choose instrumentation.
3. Compose an 8-measure composition in 4/4 time while (a) using a variety of rhythms such as whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and rests, (b) using a pentatonic scale for the notes in your melody, and (c) making sure your piece begins and ends on tonic.
4. Make sure everyone in your group has a chance to practice playing their part.
5. When your group is finished let the teacher know.
Evaluation
| Evaluation category | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Work ethic | Student is constantly working on the project, keeping his/herself focused and doing their part. | Student is working on the project 75% of the time, focused 75% of the time, and doing their part 75% of the time. | Student is only working on project half of the time, only focused half of the time, and only doing half of their work. |
| Meter and rhythm | Composition is written in correct time signature and varies use of whole, half, and quarter notes/rests. | Composition is written in correct time signature but incorrect number of beats per measure, somewhat varies rhythm. |
Composition is not written in correct time signature, Not much variance in rhythm. |
| Notes | Begins and ends on tonic with varied and interesting melody. | Begins and ends on tonic with somewhat varied melody. | Does not use tonic and has very little variation in melody notes. |
Conclusion
Once your group work is complete we will have a chance to play our compositions for the class.