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Lesson Plan
Boston Symphony Orchestra

The Elements of Music—How do Composers Plan?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
The introduction to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and the finale of his Symphony No. 4 provide young musicians with an opportunity to investigate the music elements composers employ to develop the themes they want to create. They compare the...
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Unit Plan
Classics for Kids

Introduction to Music: Symphony

For Teachers K - 2nd Standards
Expose young elementary students to the works of one of the greatest musical composers, Ludwig van Beethoven. Using three progressive lesson plans to complete the unit, class members are able to distinguish low and high sounds, count the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Focus on Harmony

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Harmony is the focus of this band lesson. Upper graders play the Star Spangled Banner, while focusing on harmony, chords, and musical voice. This lesson includes several suggested cross-curricular activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GCSE Notes 2000: Classical Music

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Classical period music is defined by its characteristics and distinctive sound. A set of notes assists upper graders in recalling and analyzing music from the classical period based on musical terminology. An example analysis of Eine...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Harmonies

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Independent harmonies, homophonic music, intervals, and melody are all part of music theory and practice. Prepare your budding musicians for the big time with these activities focused on playing with accompaniment. This lesson is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parallel Harmonies

For Teachers 4th - 8th
What is a parallel harmony? You and your class can explore musical terminology through song. You define what a parallel harmony is, the class identifies parallel harmony in music they hear, and then you all sing some examples together....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Chordal Harmony

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Practice makes perfect, especially when playing a musical instrument. This lesson examines simple chordal harmony, melody, and playing with accompaniment. Learners listen to a series of songs that exemplify the concept then play a...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Medieval Music (c500 - 1450)

For Students 8th
In this Medieval music worksheet, 8th graders read about the instruments and parts of the music, including harmony, melody, and unison. They answer 7 homework questions based on the reading.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello Girls

For Teachers 9th
Ninth grade girls get together to sing the song Hello Girls. They warm up with common voice exercises then work to maintain melody, harmony, pitch and tone. 
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Activity
Can Teach

Pass the Melody

For Teachers K - 4th
Get a jam session started in your elementary music class! Learners engage in melody transitions by singing a familiar song and passing on the tune to the next person.
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Lesson Plan
Concordia College Archives

History and Musical Aesthetics

For Teachers K - 12th Standards
What are the musical elements that characterize a school's fight song or its alma mater? Class members listen to examples of fight songs and alma maters from various schools, play a listening game, and then create a list of the...
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Worksheet
Catherine Schmidt-Jones

Two Traditional Korean Songs

For Students 3rd - 5th
"Arirang," the most popular Koeran folk song, and "Doraji" are featured in a resource that includes suggestions for how to incorporate these hauntingly beautiful songs into your curriculum.
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Lesson Plan
Lauren Kitchin

Singing in the Classroom

For Teachers K - 6th
Those new to the Kodály Method of music instruction, as well as experienced educations, will find everything they need in a resource designed to launch a five-week vocal music program. Packed with warm ups, games, activities, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Student Composers with Music Ace

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students compose short compositions using Doodle Pad.  In this Musical composition lesson, students a clef and note lines to prior knowledge of the treble clef and note lines to write short songs on the computer.  Students use Music Ace...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Melody II

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this music activity, students determine which string of notes are a harmony and which ones are a melody. Students also form a map of the musical contour of the songs "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Sweet Georgia Brown."
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Reading: A Talk on the Effects of Music on Our Brains

For Students 6th - 7th
In this reading an interview transcript worksheet, students read the transcript from an interview with Daniel Levitin who was a psychologist interested in the effects of music on the human brain. Students then answer 10 true and false...
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Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

Jazz music, Dance and Poetry

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Students view video and become familiar with the type of movement in jazz dance.  In this jazz dance lesson, students write a cinquain about jazz dance.  Students recognize the elements of jazz dance and the type of music associated with...
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Lesson Plan
VH1

Lesson 3: Behind the Movie Chicago

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In small groups and then as a class, young musicians compare and contrast two pieces from the musical film Chicago. They pair up to look at the elements that make each piece similar and define the elements or arrangements that make them...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

African Music

For Students 6th - 10th
In this African music worksheet, students read about how family life, community music, and rhythms are part of the culture and music of Africa.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Theory

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students properly notate a short melody within a given framework. They pay much attention to rhythmic notation. Students compose and harmonize their own melodies. They work individually on composing a melody on their preferred...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Medieval Music -- 500-1450

For Students 4th - 5th
In this music history worksheet, students learn about the musical style and instrumentation in the years between 500-1450. Students read several informative paragraphs and answer 7 questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Down By the Riverside

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the musical genre of spirituals and its influence on our musical history. They perform various songs, and read the student score for, Down By the Riverside.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Musical Imagery

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners experience musical imagery. They link this musical concept to literary imagery to gain an understanding of the use of imagery in both genres. After listening to a varriety of sounds, students will compose and perform a melody.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Experimental Music

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students test people's response to different kinds of music. In this music lesson plan, students associate different cords with different feelings or moods. They then observe a video that describes different feelings related to different...