UKULELE OLYMPICS (2018)
score video and ukulele curriculum booklet
of 34 original compositions by 5th graders
Over the course of a school year, a classroom of fifth graders developed their own notation system for extended playing techniques on the ukulele and created a curriculum based around those techniques. Organized by achievement levels, the curriculum program consists of pedagogical pieces for one or more ukuleles that gradually introduce concepts (musical gestures, synchronizing in multiple parts, table canons, etc.) - students then tested the curriculum on other classes to assess effectiveness. This booklet is available for free to be used by anyone as an alternative introduction to ukulele/composition.
The project structure of Ukulele Olympics is adaptable to virtually any instrument (see Recorder Racing) - teachers that are interested in developing a similar project for their own classroom can contact me for further details.