Grades 3–5
Write Your Own Melody
Write a melody of eight measures using the notes C, D, E, F and G, then give your song a name.
Music theory worksheet · Listening and composing
Compose a Four-Beat Rhythm
Pick notes and rests from the rhythm bank to fill four beats in every measure. Clap what you wrote.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Describing what you hear, Using music vocabulary, Composing a short rhythm or melody, Sharing an opinion with a reason
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- 1 beat of silence
- Write a rhythm with four beats in every measure. The first measure is done for you.
- Check your work.
- Circle when done:
- 4 beats in every measure
Teacher tip
Have kids write the beat numbers lightly under each measure to check that it adds up to four. Then the whole class claps each composer’s rhythm.
How to use it
- Play the piece twice: once just to listen, once to write or draw.
- Choose a short piece, two to three minutes, with a clear mood.
- Make the sound first. Clap, sing or play the idea before kids see it on paper.
Watch for
One-word answers like “good”. Ask for a reason with a music word in it.
Talk about it
- What did you hear first?
- How did you figure that out?
Take it further
Listen to the same piece played by different instruments and compare.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More listening and composing worksheets
Grades K–2
Listen and Draw
Listen to a song with your eyes closed. Draw what the music makes you picture, then circle the words that fit.
Grades 2–5
My Listening Journal
Listen to a piece of music two times. Write what you hear, what it reminds you of and what you think of it.
Free for teachers
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