Mini Composition Projects for KS3 Music

Creative projects and prompt sheets for music making at KS3. Tried and tested stimulus material to meet the national curriculum requirements for improvisation and composition in an imaginative and effective way.

Part 1: IDEA GENERATION
Unlock students’ creativity through art, storytelling and visualisation.

15 unique projects encourage students to translate their moods and aural recollections into music through association with musical concepts.

  • Includes picture prompts and wider listening examples for inspiration.

Part 2: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Help students to convert their pictures, stories and emotional impressions to music.

9 student-friendly prompt sheets help refine musical ideas per musical element: melody; harmony; tonality; texture; sonority; dynamics; tempo, metre and rhythm; and structure – great prep for GCSE composition.

  • Plus! Bonus prompt sheet to support weaker students in converting images and ideas into sounds.

Flexible for mixed-ability classes!

  • Caters for a range of musical abilities, from no knowledge of music theory to students writing stave notation fluently
  • Includes mixture of individual, pair and group work
  • ‘Clear and easy to follow’ R Shapey, Teacher & Peer Reviewer
  • Can be completed in a single lesson and finished off for homework!

What do teachers say about this resource? (11097)

Very useful in supporting pupils moving through the compositional process.

I like how each musical element is covered individually with examples.

I would use them as reference sheets whilst coaching pupils in compositional skills. They could later be referred to for pupils who were struggling with where to go next.

C Kostromin, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer

Composing at KS3 with pupils who generally don’t read staff notation can be very challenging! I enjoyed reading through this resource and felt that it provides a range of imaginative starting points and ideas to get pupils creating their own music. The appendixes contain time-saving printable for teachers and the activities can easily be differentiated.

I like the variety of activities and starting points included in the resource. There is enough for teachers to choose appropriate tasks for different abilities and situations. It would appeal to teachers who do not necessarily have a computer suite as the ideas do not rely on technology.

This resource encourages pupils to use their imaginations and to be creative. Some of the activities ask pupils to represent these thoughts and emotions in music which can be challenging but a valuable exercise. There is much opportunity for paired and group work which is important in getting pupils to work together.

Layout is clear and easy to follow.

A very helpful resource.

R Shapey, Music teacher & Peer Reviewer

Clearly presented.

It provides pupils with the basic understanding of the different elements.

R Jenkins, Head of Music & Peer Reviewer