Musical composition can be accessed at any age. I have found that introducing this using symbols has been an easy way for young children to access the musical elements of pulse. They are able to manipulate the interactive shapes - which are on an infinite cloner, to compose their own 4 or 8 beat rhythm. This can be used as the building blocks to develop compositional skills. This can be clapped, sung or transferred onto percussion instruments.

A way to use thematic material to introduce the elements of composition. By manipulating the images and gaining an understanding of the syllables of the mini-beast over a steady pulse children can then challenge themselves by adding their own extra mini-beasts. These pictures are on an infinite cloner so children can use them interactively and compose in front of the class. It is important they are introduced to the correct words 'composer' , 'composition', 'rhythm' and 'pulse' at an early age. Composition will then be a natural part of learning. The mini-beasts can be substituted for any theme you are teaching, for example: Space, Sat-urn, Ju-pi-ter, Earth etc. The blank graphic score is for the children to be inventive and write their own music, experimenting with rhythms over a pulse.

This lesson is a way to introduce crotchets and quavers to Year 3 upwards. The notation is on infinite cloner so that the children can have fun coming up to the front of the class to compose their own rhythms. There is a blank word document which can be printed for children to compose their own rhythms using the crotchets and quavers. They can then clap it back or transfer onto instruments.