Kate Pearson, Camerata composer, gives tips on musical composition: Divide the class into groups, giving each a different dramatic space image (try Hubble telescope images from http:hubblesite.orggalleryalbum).
Ask them to describe the mood in three words, then whittle it down to one in each group. Then reduce this word to its component phonemes (the individual sounds in each word).
Each group can depict their image in sound, selecting instruments from what is available.
