Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Romantic and 20th Century Period Music

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Upper graders explore the similarities, differences, and depth of pop music from the Romantic era and the 20th century. They listen to selections that exemplify the Baroque, Romantic, and 20th century periods, then create presentations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multicultural Music: Israel

For Teachers 2nd
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Musical Sounds

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate music appreciation by completing worksheets. In this musical arts activity, students complete worksheets in which they identify different musical instruments, the sounds they make and the family of instruments they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singing: "I Mailed Myself to You"

For Teachers 1st
Keeping a steady beat, singing soft, loud, and in unison - sounds like music class to me! First graders practice these skills while listening to the song, "I Mailed Myself to You" for Valentine's Day. This is a simple and age appropriate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Affect of Music on Visual Images

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders consider cross-curricular connections between social studies, singing, and current events. They listen to the song, "I Can't Cry Hard Enough." view scenes from September 11, then create presentations using images, a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

General Music: Grades 4 & 5

For Teachers 4th - 5th
The story behind the Star Spangled Banner sets off this singing and music lesson. 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...
Lesson Plan
ESL Kid Stuff

Christmas Lesson 2

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st Standards
Wrapping presents, singing Christmas carols, writing Christmas cards and learning holiday vocabulary are all wrapped into this one exciting ESL lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singing for the Animals

For Teachers K - 5th
Students examine the correct attitudes and poster for a concert. In this "Singing for Animals" lesson, students created charts to diagram information about the homeless animals they were singing for. Students used correct diction and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Movies That Rock": Moulin Rouge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Upper graders explore musical film and the Bohemian lifestyle common in Europe during the turn of the century through the musical Moulin Rouge. After listening to (or viewing) songs from the movie, they discuss the Bohemian era and how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music of the Civil Rights Era, 1954-1968

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students experience the aesthetics of music and learn about freedom songs that motivated the Civil Rights activists. In this music history lesson, students learn how music can motivate and move listeners. Students then describe how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music of the People - Native American Music

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete a unit of lessons on the singing, instruments, and dancing of Native Americans. They identify and play various instruments, complete worksheets, define key vocabulary, sing songs, and perform dances.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classroom Builder

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore music theory by discussing a classic song. In this musical notation lesson plan, students listen to the song "My Favorite Things" and discuss and share their personal tastes with the class. Students practice writing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bullying Skit with Music

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A simple lesson focusing on bullying, and how some students don't even realize that they are bullying someone. A cleverly-written song is embedded. After singing it a few times, the class discusses each of the verses as they pertain to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singin' Around the Year

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore performing arts by singing with their class. In this music appreciation lesson, students collaborate in groups to read and sing songs based on specific holidays such as the Fourth of July or Christmas. Students define...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Halloween Sing Along

For Teachers 1st
First graders get ready for Halloween while engaging in a spirited sing-along. They sing the song "Halloween" along with the teacher as they clap to keep rhythm with the music. Note: This song or song lyrics are not included. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hank Williams: Still Singing After All These Years

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research the life and music of Hank Williams. They take a quiz on country music, watch a video about Hank Williams, research Williams' song lyrics, create a poster and write a bio poem about his life and work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caribbean Music: Calypso and Found Percussion

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students become familiar with the music of Trinidad. In this Caribbean music lesson, students listen to music from Trinidad and find it on the map. Students recognize the calypso beat and can imitate them. Students can create their own...
Lesson Plan
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Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Yankee Doodle: How Has It Changed over Time?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Grab your feathers and your hat! And perhaps some macaroni! It's time to investigate the evolution of "Yankee Doodle Dandy." Groups do a close reading of sheet music covers, lyrics, and even YouTube videos to see how this political song...
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

Women and the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A 12-piece primary source packet sets the tone for a study of the role women played in the origins, development, and impact of blues music. Legends like Bessie Smith, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Mamie Smith, and Ida Cox are featured, as are...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Hidden Messages in Spirituals

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Slaves laboring in the cotton fields of the old South singing joyously may have convinced overseers that their workforce was happy and content, but in truth, these spirituals contained secret codes. After viewing a short video about...