Music Teacher Resources

Find Music educational ideas and activities

Showing 1 - 20 of 6,117 resources
Little ones learn the tones mi, so, and la by singing an answer to a sung question. They play a name game to identify beat, then discuss songs with no beat. If there is time during this musical instruction lesson, they dance about the room as a Halloween character.
Do a grapevine to the left, lift your hands in the air, and sing out, "Hey!" These are the steps second graders will do when they sing and dance the Israeli folk song, "Achshav.”  They will explore the concept of multicultural music and dance as they learn a song from the middle east. 
Play and sing a Valentine's song with your second graders. They'll follow along allow as you demonstrate how to sing and keep a steady beat on non-pitched percussive instruments. While the music lesson has a Valentine theme, that theme could be changed by simply switching the song.

New! Music

Some emotions are indescribable, but sometimes you have to try! After brainstorming adjectives that describe emotions, pupils watch a quick film, at first with no sound. Partners share their adjectives and come up with descriptions for the people in the video before watching it a second time, this time with sound. This leads into a discussion about music of various genres.
Young musicians explore the rhythms and sounds of Balinese gamelan music, then create their own. They listen to several examples of gamelan music, then use their instruments to mimic the rhythms they hear. After a warm up and practice, they compose two lines of rhythm based on Kotekan Techniques. These rhythms will be played in tandem with a fellow musician. 
Dynamics are elements of music that indicate how a piece is to be played or sung. Budding musicians practice musical dynamics by singing in small groups. The teacher indicates the dynamic (or how) the song is to be performed and pupils follow along, changing tone as they go.
Singing, emotion, and music are explored by the class as they think about the expressive sounds and lyrics of each song they hear. They read, play, and sing several songs taken from musical theater productions and discuss the tones, emotions, and ways each song expresses feeling.
To be the very best musician one needs to be wiling to practice at home. Here is a handy guide to give your young musicians a leading edge on home music practice. It includes a warm up, cool down, suggestions for setting goals and for improving general skills. Hand it out and watch them become experts and putting practice first.
The story behind the Star Spangled Banner sets off this singing and music instructional activity. Emergent singers study facts about Francis Scott Key and his famous song, they then discuss and practice singing the first verse paying close attention to vocal tone and song phrasing. Several cross-curricular activities are included.
A big part of reading notes is knowing the counts or beats they represent. Fifth graders say, "Clap," then play the musical notes, paying close attention to the length of time each one is held or played. Sheet music for the rhythmic song is included. 
If you have access to Harmonic Vision’s Music Ace Software, then this lesson could work for you. Kindergarteners use the video music software to place, identify, and read musical notes. They listen in and identify both high and low pitch. Tip: This could be done using a felt board staff and notes. 
Singing is a great way to build memory, music, and verbal communication skills. Little ones sing the song, "Old Mac Donald had a Farm." They make the sounds of each animal on the farm paying attention to signaling cues, singing high, and singing low. Several adaptation and extension ideas are included.
Students explore how music can motivate philanthropic behavior. In this music instructional activity, students listen to the music and read the verses of "We Shall Overcome" and discuss how the lyrics demonstrate philanthropic acts.
Music has the power to convey messages, concepts, and feelings. Sixth graders listen to and analyze the cultural and historical context of several spirituals and working songs sung in Africa and also during the slave period in American history. Lyrics and music instructional suggestions are included. A great instructional activity to integrate into any unit on slavery, the South, or American history.
Seventh graders analyze music compositions and performances. In this music criticism lesson, 7th graders study music compositions and performances. Students listen and analyze various pieces of music. Students then compose their own music pieces and review music terminology. Students listen to student performances and write sentences about the music. Students complete comparison activities for the music pieces.
Sixth graders research musical styles and forms throughout history. In this musical styles and forms lesson, 6th graders research the history of music by examining the similarities and differences in the form of opera and American musical theatre. Students then create their own opera or musical theatre production for their class.
Instruct your young musicians on the terms verse and refrain. They listen to two songs, and point out the verse and refrain as they occur. Students then play drums when they hear the verse and the refrain. Note: Song lyrics, sheet music, or audio links are not included. 
In this Louisiana musical landscape worksheet, students study 6 terms and their meanings as they pertain to music instruction to be used for further classroom activities.
Students experience the aesthetics of music and learn about freedom songs that motivated the Civil Rights activists. In this music history instructional activity, students learn how music can motivate and move listeners. Students then describe how sharing their musical talents can be a form of philanthropy.
Playing percussive instruments is fun! It also helps kids understand music instruction, rhythm, and playing together. The class uses Orff instruments to practice, then performs the song, "Achshav." The songs for this and other lessons like this are found in the text, Spotlight on Music.