Submitted by Pamela Rezach, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Idea posted May 15, 2003

I have an assortment of easy-to-read composer books. They're books I've had for several years, but never could figure out how to have time to use them. Then, BINGO!, I prepared a composer report form. Each student in the class receives one form, and I hand out one book per every two students.

As the students pair up and read the book(s), I call up individuals to hear them play. The students really enjoy the composer books. They didn't even seem to mind the report sheets either! It is working great!

The composer form:

  1. Write the name of your composer. ___

  2. From where is your composer? ___

  3. Is your composer a child prodigy? If so, tell why.

  4. Write something interesting about your composer:

  5. In the picture frame below draw a picture about something you read in this book.

It takes the students three or four class periods to complete a book and fill in the forms. Once they complete their book, I give them another. My hope is that every student will be able to do two composer reports by the end of the year.