Best Kept Secret on ComposeCreate

I’ve been developing something on ComposeCreate.com for over 3 years and it is finally complete! I think its the best kept secret on this website and so I’m excited to tell you all about it. (And there’s a sale now through September 1st on the new Web Rewards Answer Key and Checklists.)

Web Rewards is a free, comprehensive service provided by ComposeCreate.com to help you assist your students as they prepare for their state theory and listening exams, especially those of you who use the Music Progressions curriculum in Kansas, Washington State, and North Idaho. As a teacher, you can use the online activities in your own lab or assign the activities to be completed at home online. Included in this service are links to online games (carefully selected to drill specific skills), free worksheets I’ve developed, and best of all, free Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation exercises that are often difficult to find on the web! Best of all, these are divided into meticulously graded levels so that you can help your students systematically master theory and listening concepts.

Each of the levels corresponds directly with the requirements of the Music Progressions curriculum, which I would encourage everyone to use if you do not already have a state evaluation curriculum.

If you use this Web Rewards service, the only thing that we ask is that you purchase the new Web Rewards Answer Key and Checklists which will assist you in quickly checking the worksheets your students bring to you. Also included in this document are checklists for every level of Web Rewards that will help students and teachers keep track of their progress. Purchasing this resource will also help in deflecting the cost of creating and maintaining these resources that we are providing for you.

So, how do you use it? Simply print the Web Rewards Checklist appropriate for your student’s level and put it in their assignment book. You may wish to keep a copy for your own records as well. At every lesson, pick one of the activities listed and assign your student to complete this at home (or at your computer lab). The website address (www.ComposeCreate.com/web-rewards) is at the top of the students’ checklist, but you are free to link to this page from your website. The students will bring back their score, a completed worksheet, etc. the next week which you can easily check with the Answer Key. I recommend that if students do not score a 90% or higher, they complete the assignment again either the next week or at a later date.

Originally, I used to give out little rewards when students completed their assignments, but I find this is not necessary. However, I do think it is a nice surprise to declare a “Web Reward Reward Day” in which students who bring back their completed assignment get a little motivation (like a piece of candy, “Way to Go” certificate, etc.).

This is really the easiest, most efficient, and cheapest way of helping your students prepare for their exams. I hope this is a help to you this year as you plan ahead for the success of your students. Here is the Web Rewards page which lists links to all 10 levels: Web Rewards

And here is where you can get the Web Rewards Answer Key and Checklists (Now through September 1st, enter “WRAnswerKey” for a special introductory price of $15) (offer no longer valid)

Don’t forget to visit the entire ComposeCreate.com store where you can see other useful materials like Practice Theory Tests, Sight Reading (levels 7-10 are now available!), etc.