GaryD, in her post, it says that the student may read.
Destiny123, there are actually quite a few composition methods out there. I have only used one and I do enjoy it.
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?q=music+by+meIt is 5-book series with 4-activities in every lesson: "Introduce students to the joy of composing their own music in this first workbook in a new series. Contains seven lesson units (rhythm, melody, harmony, repetition, form, modern music, and review), each divided into four parts:. Tool of the Trade (elements of composition), Let's Explore (fun activity to use the tool), Improvise! (experimentation), and Compose Your Own (inspiring start-offs). Enjoy watching the creative spark ignite, as your students exclaim, "This is Music by Me!"."
I actually make all of my students do these workbooks along with their theory book but even though it I do not make them do exactly what the book does all the time. Sometimes we change the assignment. However, it gives many ideas to do composition assignments. These guidelines help figure out what can be done.
I would order the series and suggest that you study through it for a week or more to understand it and then use it with a student.
Also, alongside this, I would introduce the student to Blues and Blues Improvisation. While I don't know a perfect method for this yet, I have recently begin using many Hal Leonard composers from their Composer Showcase and two items I have come across are:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Play-the-Blues/5393609http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Think-Jazz/2893225(You may also see better previews on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Blues-In...ducational/dp/0634054376/ref=pd_sxp_f_pthttp://www.amazon.com/Think-Jazz-Pi...d=I2GOE90H53BBU7&colid=23B704TNZHVQT )
These look quite good though I haven't had a chance to really look at them or use them yet, but beginning students in a book such as these or another where they are forced to think of other melodies and styles and also improvise it is essential to good composition because it forces the student to let go and just try things.
At every second lesson, I tell my students this: "This week, I want you to after you practice play the piano for five extra minutes. What I want you to do is only use the black keys and whatever notes you want to press, press them and play! Try not to stop for five minutes. Go fast or slow or loud or soft, it is up to you."
There are also these books, but I have not seen or heard anything about them:
http://www.frederickharrismusic.com...ocId=catListProd§ion=CARESOURCESYou may also find many resources online. I cannot remember the website now but there was a woman who once had a website with many different composition exercises on it for free.