Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Be Sharp and Never Flat

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
An outstanding lesson on music awaits your young composers! They learn about patterns found in music, the different sections of an orchestra, and see the differences between musicians and a composer. Excellent streamed videos and good...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To The Orchestra

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners listen to a book, "Meet the Orchestra." They observe a PowerPoint presentation, listen to the sounds in "Peter and the Wolf" and then match illustrations of instruments to their specific sound. Students identify instrument...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction To The Instruments Of The Orchestra

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students explore a variety of instruments to discover their sound. After watching an orchestra play, students discover the categories of instruments such as woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion. In teams, they listen to music and...
PPT
Curated OER

The Orchestra

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Elementary listeners learn about each section in the orchestra and the sounds they make. This would be a great introduction prior to a field trip or a visit from a real orchestra. Note: The audio does not appear to work. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Musical Instrument Families

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using graphics, and an easy-to-understand format, this resource outlines the different kinds of instruments and their characteristics. This presentation could be used as an introduction to instruments for students getting ready to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Overture to 'William Tell' by Gioacchino Rossini

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create an awareness of how music creates a setting in a story or legend. They identify the instrumentation, dynamics and tempo used to create various settings for a musical story. They perform rhythmic patterns from listening...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE TRAVELS OF BABAR: An Adventure in Scale : The Instruments of the Orchestra

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners classify the classes of instruments of the orchestra: strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. They aurally and visually identify the instruments of the orchestra. Students become actively engaged in live performances by...
Activity
Habits of Mind

Thinking Interdependently

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Transform your class into a team with a lesson about thinking and working interdependently. As they reflect on important roles for a group, elementary and middle schoolers learn to work together and think of ways that compliment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Instruments and Families

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete with the class a KWL chart and discuss prior knowledge of orchestras. They visit websites to discover instruments and families of the orchestra and discuss appropriate audience behavior prior to going to a concert...
Lesson Plan
SoundTree

When The Saints Go Marching In: A Lesson for Middle School Keyboard Lab Students

For Teachers 6th - 8th
After listening to a variety of interpretations of "When the Saints Go Marching In," partners compose and then perform their own renditions of this classic before joining a full-class jam session.
Activity
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Fun Music Company

Substitute Lesson Ideas For The Music Teacher

For Teachers K - 5th
Have to sub for a music class on short notice? Or have some extra time to play with? Never fear! Help is here in the form of 20 sure-fire music activities and worksheets tested and submitted by music teachers. A great resource to add to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Santana

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The orchestra plays the National Anthem and discusses their origin. Students listen to other nation's National Anthems, and discuss how they felt while listening. As the students play the National Anthem, the teacher sings. The students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design an Instrument

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars design an instrument. In this sound, vibration and pitch lesson, students learn about the characteristics of sound, vibration and pitch.  Young scholars design a guitar using the assembled craft materials and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain Orchestra

For Teachers 1st
First graders mix secondary colors from primary colors and simulate a rainstorm by using body percussion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arts in a Spin Qualities of the Baroque Style

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the qualities of Baroque style by viewing a video about Bach. They listen to music of the era and explore the characteristics of excessive ornamentation, contrast and tension. They complete the included worksheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning Crescendo and Decrescendo

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the sounds and notes for crescendos and decrescendos. They attend a concert by a symphony orchestra and when they return to the classroom they identify the crescendos and decrescendos in music they hear.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Duke Ellington and the Rise of Jazz in New York

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars consider how Duke Ellington impacted the rise of jazz music. In this jazz music lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding the life and work of Ellington. Young scholars also watch a video regarding Ellington and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peter and the Wolf: Instrument Listening Game

For Teachers All
Listening to this piece of music will foster the students ability to recognize individual instruments and the sounds they create. The art of music inspires the students to become sensitive listeners able to make aesthetic judgements and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peter And The Wolf: Instrument Listening Game

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners match the instruments to the characters they represent in Peter and the Wolf. They also identify the instruments by name from listening to their sound.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Musical Instrument Workshop: Somerset Waste Action Programme

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars use recyclable material they bring from home to create a musical instrument. They play their instrument for the class and work as a class to play as in a band or orchestra. Students discuss recycling, and other uses they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Families of Instruments

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify families of instruments. In this music lesson, students read Berlioz the Bear and identify the families of instruments. Students sing "Mr. Gus Goes Goofy," and listen for the sounds of the instruments.
Worksheet
Curated OER

William Walton [1902-1983] LAM 102

For Students 9th - 12th
For this music worksheet, high schoolers answer the questions that are based upon the influences upon the composition of the piece of music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

William Walton [1902-1983] LAM 102 Belshazzar's Feast (1931)

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils explore the musical composition of William Walton. In this listening exercise instructional activity, students answer the questions that are based upon the influences of the composition of the piece of music, Belshazzar's Feast.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Community and Culture

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the rise of jazz music. In this Duke Ellington lesson, 4th graders watch video segments regarding Ellington's life and showcasing a performance of Ellington and his band. Students discuss the rhythm...