Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Poetry As Inspiration for Composition

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
A reading of Robert Frost’s "The Road Not Taken" launches an interdisciplinary study of the connection between the meters of a poem and a melody. After identifying the number of beats in each line of the poem, young musicians use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making CD's from MIDI Compositions

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete their own composition (ABA song form, C Major scale, 32-60 measures) using the keyboard and sequencing software on the computer to playback the song. They fill in answers in their workbooks and watch how to transfer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Folk Webs in General Music Class

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders demonstrate the musical and historical context of a given folk song by notating the melody, creating an accompaniment, and displaying it on the web for assessment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electronically Composing Music

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students complete a worksheet and discuss components of musical composition. Students familiarize themselves with the program, Finale. Students then work cooperatively to compose a musical suite.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Technology Programs

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students are introduced to the music technology programs for the next school year. They practice reading notes and playing piano. They use the internet to research careers in music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Media File Types

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students read about several different media file formats and determine which one is best used in specific situations. They go to different sites and read about the different media formats. Students then answer the questions that are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sakura

For Teachers 4th - 11th
Students create, notate, and perform the melody of and a rhythmic accompaniment to the traditional Japanese folk song, Sakura. This lesson requires a networked computer lab with headphones.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Great, Crazy Sailor

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders become acquainted with the basic facts of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America through singing the following chant.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle and Clementine

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders sing a piggyback song to explore the parts of the water cycle and then illustrate and label the water cycle in their science journals.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Retrograde Composition

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Pupils complete their own retrograde composition. They finish playing a set of notes started by their teacher. They use computer software to complete their song.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Rhythm of Life - Episode 2 - Melody

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Young scholars complete a unit on melodies from various cultures. They watch an online program, analyze various melodies, write a short original melody, complete a worksheet, and compare/contrast three versions of "Amazing Grace."
eBook
Other

Music Fundamentals

For Students 9th - 10th
This is like a music theory textbook online. It includes great explanations and assignments, although there is not a way to check your completed assignments. It begins with the basics and goes through triads. Midi files are included.
Website
Contemplator

Lyrics and Music to "Sweet Rosie O'grady"

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides the lyrics to Maude Nugent's "Sweet Rosie O'Grady." You can also download the MIDI file to listen to the song. Includes a brief history of the song.
Website
Contemplator

Lyrics and Music to "My Wild Irish Rose"

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides the lyrics to Chauncey Olcott's "My Wild Irish Rose," as well as brief information about Olcott. You can download the MIDI file to listen to this song.
Handout
Music Education

Learning to Read Music: Types of Notes

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about the different types of notes in music--the whole note, half note, quarter notes, eighth note, and sixteenth note--and listen to midi files of music samples.
Website
Contemplator

Folk Music of England, Scotland,ireland, Wales & America

For Students 9th - 10th
Fine comprehensive intro to folk music of English-speaking countries. Lyrics, background and midi files make this a useful site.
Website
Other

The Choral Public Domain Library

For Students 9th - 10th
This searchable database of more than 5,000 pieces of free, classical choral music features MIDI file downloads and PDF documents.
Primary
Contemplator

Popular Songs in American History: Ben Bolt: 19th Century Folk Song

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains the lyrics to a popular nineteenth century folk song. A MIDI file of the song is also available to download.
Website
Other

Classical Midi With Words

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource has a vast array of Classical Music MIDI Song Files. Musicians and composers are listed under separate nationalities, such as: English and Scottish-English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, and Russian.
Website
Other

The Clarinet Pages

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a guide for clarinet players from beginner to advanced. The website includes a bulletin board, classified ads, sheet music, MIDI files, and numerous resources. Under "Clarinet Resources," there is an extensive list of useful...
Activity
University of Michigan

Beyond Row, Row, Row Your Boat

For Students 3rd - 5th
Many famous and not so famous rounds can be found at this website. Midi files allow you to listen and learn. Wonderful!
Website
Other

The Aria Database

For Students 9th - 10th
The searchable Aria Database features over 1,200 arias from 170 operas by 60 composers. It includes lyrics, translations, synopses of operas, and MIDI files.
Website
Other

Swing What Is It?

For Students 9th - 10th
Through block notation, this page attempts to bring into focus the concept of swing patterns. The swing patterns are accompanied by various midi files.
Website
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: The Yellow Rose (And Other Songs) of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
A long list of songs about Texas, both lyrics and audio files in MIDI format. There are well-loved songs, school songs, regional songs, ragtime songs by Scott Joplin, even the theme song from the Lone Ranger television show.