Ludwig van Beethoven Lesson Plans

Students react to a series of statements about Beethoven, then read a news article about the sale of a 179-year-old manuscript by the musical genius. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a class discussion. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

Fifth graders study the life and music of Ludwig von Beethoven by reading informational texts. In this music history lesson, 5th graders use music notation, geographic maps, listening maps, organizational diagrams, and time lines as informational texts to learn about Ludwig von Beethoven.

Students view a documentary on Beethoven. His immortal compositions have survived for generations and are as much a part of the modern world as they were almost two centuries ago. After viewing, students discuss Beethoven and compare him to Mozart.

Fourth graders research the life and music of Beethoven through reading informational texts and answering questions about what they have read. The musical study of Beethoven includes reading music notation, reading geographic maps and music listening maps, reading organizational diagrams and time lines in addition to the informational texts.

Young scholars read an informational story about Ludwig Van Beethoven and write facts they learned when they are done reading. For this Beethoven lesson plan, students get together in groups to write their facts.

Students are introduced to classical music. They listen to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. They interview each other in regards to their feelings about the music and the paintings they produced while listening to the piece.

Students practice composing some of Beethoven's musical pieces. Students listen to Beethoven's music and watch a video about his life. Then, students practice composing their own pieces that emulate his work.

Students, using excerpts from 'Symphony 5' and 'Symphony 9', compare and contrast between two of Beethoven's works.

Students watch a video of the series "Little Einstiens." After watching the video, they explain the characteristics of each character. They develop music to add to the video and listen to music of Beethoven. They examine a painting by Van Gogh to end the instructional activity.

Eighth graders listen to Beethoven's Symphony Number Five and identify the instruments playing. They observe the score and discuss the movements, and at what time each instrument plays. Students choose an instrument and transcribe the part of their instrument from the full score.