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Music: Caterpillars, How They Grow!

For Teachers 1st
Put on some music and get moving as a way to represent the life cycle of a caterpillar. Kids listen to the story The Very Hungary Caterpillar, discuss the life cycle, then create vocal expression that represent each stage of the cycle....
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What is Timbre?

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students analyze the differences in similar songs.  In this music appreciation lesson, students discover the meaning of timbre and how it can drastically change similar pieces of music.  Students sing two pieces of music with...
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The Tango

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the music of Buenos Aires as they hear and then dance the Tango. They practice basic Tango rhythm, learn to sing the song, "Any Turkey can Tango," then practice a few Tango-riffic dance steps with a partner....
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Magic Words, Magic Brush: The Art of William Butler and Jack Yeats

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the influence of the landscape of Ireland on shaping the poetry of William Butler Yeats. They work in groups researching the growth of the Irish Nationalist Movement, Celtic origins, invasions, and the impact on the...
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Creating Sight-Singing Originals

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create sight-singing examples for presentation in the high school choir class. Day One is used for review/introduction of the material. Day Two is used for student work time and Day Three is for presentation and evaluation.
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Sam Cooke - Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify the impact of the social injustices and Civil Rights movement on Cooke's life and career. They create lyrics to a familiar song that express a personal struggle or concern.
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Music in the Common Schools

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars sing songs from the common schools era and compare music from the common schools era and today. In this music lesson plan, students look at pictures, fill out Venn Diagrams, and listen to music.
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A Review of American History

For Teachers 4th - 8th
In this instructional activity learners research an important event in American history and use drama, art, music, and dance to express their findings. Suggested activities include illustrating a time line, decorating a shoe box,...
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Singing And Chanting In Rhythm

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students sing and chant various songs keeping a steady beat, or pulse, while performing as a group in this early-elementary level General Music lesson. Emphasis is placed on the use of Solfege syllables and the song "Singin' In The Rain".
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Multicultural Music Connections

For Teachers 3rd
Native American music is fun to listen to and great to play. Third graders get multiculturally inspired as they discuss musical sounds from around the globe, then play a few traditional Native American instruments. 
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Music

For Teachers K
Students develop listening skills through repetitive singing. They develop an appreciation of melody.
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Music Video

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore songs that tell stories over various decades and create a Garage band track for their voice.  In this story song lesson, students create a video for their song group.  Learners present a proposal to their...
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Winter Through the Arts

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students read the book The Snowy Day and discover various winter themes. In this winter lesson, students develop movements to express the feeling of a snowstorm. Students also construct winter-themed art pieces.
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Create a Composition

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars select an instrument and create a musical composition. In this musical composition lesson, students invent an original piece of music that is 16 measures long. Young scholars hum and record their pieces.
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Folk Music

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore Folk Music in Iowa. For this folk music lesson, students discuss different types of folk music and how it relates to life in Iowa. They take the tune of a song and write their own lyrics to describe their life. 
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Rhythm - "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

For Teachers 1st
First graders practice rhythm and beat. In this music lesson plan, 1st graders sing and clap to the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy".  They find the rhythm of the music and practice making rhythm with other instruments.
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A Journey Through The Seasons

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders demonstrate creative movement, singing in canon or rounds, and playing instruments while taking "a musical journey through the seasons" in this second grade General Music lesson. Songs and discussion questions are...
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William Tell Overture

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the musical concepts of rhythm, melody, expression, and tone color in a three-lesson unit about the William Tell Overture. They identify dynamics and tempo and play a vocal tone color singing game.
Unit Plan
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Music: The Experience of a Lifetime

For Teachers 1st
Students use rhymes, songs and games to help them study music. They discover how music can be used with movement, speech and singing.
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VH1 Road to Fame: Harry Connick Jr.

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students sing songs by Harry Connick Jr. and then learn different musical terms.
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Dynamic Fun!

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore musical dynamics.  In this music lesson, students define musical terms that relate to dynamics.  Students sing "Little Bunny Foo-Foo" and apply the written dynamics to their singing voices. Students use...
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Cover the Music

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore U.S. history by listening to musical pieces in class. In this Civil War era lesson, students discuss the types of musical instruments that were available to soldiers during the war and the themes of their songs. Students...
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Storytellers: Pearl Jam

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the nature of their own generation by looking at current events and music styles. They update old lyrics with new ones that are more relevant to current times and express a truth about their own generation. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
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Going on a Bear Hunt

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate pantomiming by going on a fictitious bear hunt.  In this performing arts lesson plan, students collaborate in groups to sing songs and perform pantomimes based on a hunting trip.  Students create their own...