5 ‘Ridiculously Fun’ Ways To Get Tweens Into Composer Studies

Do you think that your tweens will be bored, if you try to introduce them to composer studies? 

Well, done the correct way, there is no need to worry. 

So what is the correct way, you may be wondering. 

And that is exactly what I am going to cover in this post, so get ready. 

I have also included worksheets so your tweens can take their learning to the next level. 

Excited to hear what I have to suggest? 

Great. Let’s get started. 

Research Activities

The first step is to select one or more composers to study. 

So ask your tweens to decide on the type of composers they would like to study. 

Would they like to research classical or baroque composers or composers from different era? 

Once they’ve nailed down the era, it is then time to select one or more composers to research. 

However, beware not to let this number get out of hand. 

The best is to select no more than three composers to study. 

Want ideas on composer study books? Then read my post Composer Biographies For All Ages. 

Listening Activities

Next, your tweens can now create a playlist of songs by the composer and listen to it throughout the homeschool day. 

Thus enabling them to get familiar with the tunes and melodies, and be able to distinguish the music of one composer from another. 

You can have your tweens further expand on this activity by asking them to analyze the music. 

Don’t know how to analyze music? 

No problem, read my post – 5 ‘Should Not’ Be Missed Music Analysis Ideas For Tweens. 

Field Activities 

Now that your tweens have completed the research and listening activities, it is time to get them out and about doing some field activities that will further enhance their learning. 

Since I like to use examples when explaining things, I’m going to assume that one of the composers, your tweens selected for research was Beethoven. 

So here are some activities in that vein. 

• Take them to the German cultural centre and learn about the history, geography, culture and other aspects relating to Beethoven’s birth country.
• Take them to a museum and learn more about the history and the era when Beethoven was alive.
• Take them to a library and look for books, periodicals, and resources that will teach your tweens about Germany, the Romantic era in Music, Beethoven’s contemporaries (composers of his time) etc.
• Take them to an instrument store and attempt to find as many instruments used in Beethoven’s compositions as you can. Then have your kids, touch, feel and play as many of those instruments as possible.
• Look out for opportunities to experience a live performance of Beethoven’s compositions.

Hands On Activities

• Ask your tweens to use the worksheets that I have made available. 
• The worksheets will help them further expand on their knowledge and retain what they have learned. 

Presentations

Yes, the final step is to use the knowledge gained and create a presentation. 

Make sure your tween uses a variety of different interactive tools. 

This will not only help her to narrow down and hone in on the information she gathered, but it will also help her to learn how to organize and put everything in a coherent and attractive manner. 

Don’t you think the suggestions made above will definitely pique your tween’s attention?

Why or why not?