Students are introduced to the concept of minimal music. In groups, they identify its characteristics and its relationship to minimal art. Using the internet, they research the various historical time periods in which it was popular. ...

Students identify various musical instruments and explain their roles in an orchestra. Following a Powerpoint presentation, students discuss what they have discovered in small groups. Then, each groups devises four questions based on...

In this visual thinking worksheet, students analyze 7 pictures in separate boxes that depict part of a bigger picture. Students examine a large picture of a girl playing a drum set and match the picture fragments to their correct placement.

In this Anton Bruckner and Roman Catholic Mass worksheet, students read about the historical organist and about the music used in the order of the mass in this 1 page worksheet.

Students research and analyze various percussion instruments from different countries and cultures in this Music lesson for the upper-elementary classroom. Emphasis is placed on internet research and hands-on drumming techniques from...

Students research Hank Williams and explore his life and career. In this Hank Williams lesson, students complete Internet research, listen to example songs, and watch a movie all to analyze Hank Williams. The ultimate goal is to decide...

In this music worksheet, learners investigate gamelan music of Bali and in particular a piece by Bela Bartok. Students read about the history and unique instrumentation and answer 8 questions. Note: It appears that learners need access...

Students study Richard Wagner and his idea of "Music Drama". Students listen to his music, pantomime, and lead "music dramas" to discover Wagner's idea of the world of composition and drama.

Students use the study sheet to study about the musical alphabet; stepping down. They review what stepping up means and what stepping down means. They then practice using the worksheet provided.

Students create a set and design a costume for a musical performance. In this Life of Celia Cruz lesson, students study biographical facts about Celia Cruz on the exhibition web site. Then students share their creations with the class.

Students review the Musical Alphabet from A to G then review stepping up, skipping up, and stepping down. They discover that a skip down goes from one letter to the next lower letter with one in between.

Students identify a guitar, piano, trumpet, flute, drum, and a violin by sight and sound. They view pictures of each instrument as they are played on a recording, discuss how each instrument makes their particular sound, and listen to...

Ninth graders explore semiotics and the meanings of stage sets.

Get to know the meaning behind the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the legendary 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Groups of two take the roles of performer and questioner. Performers sing lines of the song while questioners...

Putting together information gained from their script analysis, their readings, and their research, groups create a conceptual design statement for their assigned scene. The statement explains how their scenic design creates the mood and...

Students analyze and perform an American social protest song. They describe its historical setting, consider the effectiveness of the music and recognize that popular music is a reflection of American culture.

Students create a musical autobiography. In this fine arts lesson, students explore the emotions that music can express by listening to and discussing a variety of music. Students construct a personal timeline and a collection of music...

Students explore women and music in the 20th century. In this music lesson, students study the relationship between literature and music through The Color Purple and music by Ethel Waters, MA Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella...

Students identify sounds played on instruments from around the world. In this music lesson, students listen to music played on various low brass instruments from Tibet, Switzerland and Haiti to determine the differences in pitch...

First graders indicate the silent beats (rests) with an outward motion of the arms. They indicate a measure clapped out with a quarter rest, and a measure clapped out without a quarter rest.

Students compare and contrast the rhythms of marches and jazz. They watch an excerpt about Buddy Bolden from the PBS Ken Burns Jazz documentary, compare/contrast march and jazz rhythms, complete a worksheet, and notate and perform jazz...

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...

Sixth graders explore physics by utilizing their math skills. In this flight properties lesson, 6th graders examine the flying capabilities of planes and birds. Students utilize math to find how many wing-beats are needed to keep a bird...

Young scholars design a unique instrument using containers, beans, markers, crayons and colored construction paper. At the end of the lesson each student have a working rhythm instrument decorated with at least two colors.