Smithsonian Institution
African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups.
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Composing Music
Students explore music appreciation by creating their own music pieces in class. For this music composition lesson, students collaborate in small groups with their instruments and compose a short song which they will play for class....
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Musical Sounds
Students investigate music appreciation by completing worksheets. In this musical arts lesson, students complete worksheets in which they identify different musical instruments, the sounds they make and the family of instruments they...
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Identifying Musical Instruments
First graders identify different musical instruments. In this music appreciation lesson, 1st graders discover the different groups and sounds of instruments while learning their names as well. Students write about an instrument they...
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Composing Music
Students explore music appreciation by reading sheet music. In this musical score analysis lesson, students utilize their individual instruments to play the song "Peter and the Wolf." Students listen to an online version of the song and...
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Butterflies Fly!
Chopin was a lovely composer who played the piano masterfully. Third graders are introduced to Chopin, his piano sounds, triple meter, music patterns, movement, and the waltz. They listen to his music while hearing the story Butterflies...
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"Viennese Musical Clock" from Hary Janos by Zoltan Kodaly
Young musicians follow a colorful map that helps them identify the various themes as they listen to a recording of the rondo "Viennese Musical Clock" from Hary Janos by Zoltan Kodaly. The activity includes information about Kodaly.
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"Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin
In this classical music appreciation worksheet, students listen to a recording of "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin. Students read about the composer and the structure of the piece. Students answer 5 questions and then complete a word...
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"Troika" From Lt. Kije Suite by Sergei Prokofiev
In this classical music appreciation worksheet, students listen to a recording of "Troika" from Lt. Kije Suiteby Sergei Prokofiev. Students read about the composer and the structure of the piece. Students answer 5 questions and then...
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The Nutcracker by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
In this classical music appreciation instructional activity, students listen to a recording of The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. Students read about the composer and the structure of the piece. Students answer 5 questions and complete...
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Jazz Music and the Crisis Over School Desegregation
High schoolers will learn to appreciate the civil rights movement with a focus on Little Rock, Arkansas. They will also acknowledge Louis Armstrong's unparalleled contributions to American music.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Musical Families
Planning a trip to the symphony? Prepare first-time attendees for the experience with overheads that identify the roles played by the concertmaster, conductor, musicians, and even the audience. The musical families are introduced and...
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Melodies and Math: Creating Music with Non-Traditional Instruments
Review the 4/4 and 2/4 time signatures in music with a helpful music theory lesson plan. Young musicians experiment with electronic sounds and create their own musical performance using instruments made from materials found in the...
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"Golliwog's Cakewalk" by Claude Debussy
In this music appreciation learning exercise, students listen to "Golliwog's Cakewalk" from Children's Corner Suite by Claude Debussy. Students read about the composer and the piece and answer 5 questions.
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"Galop" From The Comedians Suite by Dmitri Kabalevsky
In this music appreciation learning exercise, students listen to "Galop" from The Comedians Suite by Dmitri Kabalevsky. Students read about the composer and the piece and follow a listening map. Students complete a crossword puzzle about...
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Exploring African Music
Students appreciate African Music and the rich culture it represents. They identify two characteristics of African Music in their journals.
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What is Timbre?
Learners analyze the differences in similar songs. For this music appreciation lesson, students discover the meaning of timbre and how it can drastically change similar pieces of music. Learners sing two pieces of music with the rest...
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"Tritsch Tratsch Polka" by Johann Strauss
In this music appreciation worksheet, students listen to "Tritsch Tratsch Polka" by Johann Strauss Jr. Students read about the composer and the history of the piece. Students answer five questions about the music.
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Carnival of the Animals
Learners listen to music to study the various sounds instruments make and feelings they incur. In this music analysis instructional activity, students listen to musical extracts from 'The Carnival of Animals' describe the music. Learners...
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Music Appreciation:
Students list the four main families of musical instruments, name one instrument from each musical family, name three ways music is used in everyday life.
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Chick Corea and Nicolas Economou: "Songs for Children"
Learners study the career of Chick Corea, whose work has spanned myriad styles in the past thirty years. They explore the double meaning of "Children's Music" and are introduced to the piano
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Feel the Music
Students identify and demonstrate a positive learning attitude. They also demonstrate responsible emotional and cognitive behaviors and identify how to communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form. Finally, students...
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International Festival: Mexico
Students explore the culture of Mexico through music and food. In this multicultural lesson, students read the book Mexico and listen to samples of Mexican music. Students use ingredients to make tacos.
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Who are My Sisters and Brothers?
Students explore religion by completing a cultural diversity activity. In this human compassion lesson, students identify all of "God's Children" as their sisters and brothers. Students read the book Frederick in class and listen to...