Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Composing Music

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners compose music with musical instruments, and write the proper notation for the songs they have created.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Critical Listening: Music Vocabulary

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The school band or orchestra analyzes their own performance after exploring musical terminology. They listen to a classical piece and describe it using only words. They look up musical terminology and then use those words to compare and...
Activity
Illinois Music Education Conference

Taking the “General” Out of Middle School General Music!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Middle schoolers will sing the praises of this music program. The resource, designed as an overview for music instructors, is loaded with ideas, activities, and links. Not a sour note in the packet. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Composition

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students compose a simple melody using the notes of the D Major Scale. Criteria/Rubric for evaluation is provided with variations depending on skill level of students. A minimum of one forty-five minute class period is needed for this...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Knowledge: pre/post test

For Teachers 5th - 12th
While this is not a lesson, it could potentially take as long as one. This is a 73-question test to administer to those studying music. They'll need to answer questions regarding general music terminology, theory, and composition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Original Band Compositions

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students create and perform original band compositions using their own band instruments. This two day lesson requires student compositions to be done at home. Students evaluate performances using a checklist for composing (included).
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Write Your Own Rap

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a rap using basic AB form composition. Evaluation of performances are based on rubric formed during the first lesson plan by all students. This three to four day lesson plan culminates in student performances and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Body Composition Circuit

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students work in groups to increase nutritional awareness.  In this health and fitness lesson, students travel to various stations and complete the task on a body composition card. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music Technology: Adding a Voice to a Cartoon

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners add their voice to a cartoon character and review sound waves using music technology software. They record specific information into the computer using a microphone and import their voice into the Flash program and apply it to...
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Original Rhythm Compositions for Poetry

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create and perform original musical compositions using poetry as a basis for the creative process. This cross-curricular two-day instructional activity can be done in two 45 minute class periods. Students evaluate performances...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Math, Music and Architecture: Kindergarten Geometry and Aesthetics in Music and Architecture

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars identify and name different geometrical shapes. In this math lesson, students distinguish odd from even numbers. They describe the properties of 2 and 3 dimensional objects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Signin' the Blues with Rock, Rap 'n Roll

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders listen to recordings and study jazz and the blues music. They identify the instrumentation and explore the 12-bar blues progression. After experimenting with different sound, 6th graders create their own arrangement, with...
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

Exploring Musical Instruments of the Orchestra

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students listen to "The William Tell Overture," identify instruments, sounds and other characteristics of the music. They compare and contrast orchestra music to large band music. Students discuss the musical composition and how the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Rhythmic Composition

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students apply fractions to counting rhythm in music. In this algebra lesson, students interrelate the concept of math into music as they fill out a chart identifying the names and symbols of music notes and their equivalent values in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Connecting Literature, Writing and Music

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners assess the impact of music to portray emotions and tell stories. Examples are taken from the life of Rosa Parks and a piece of band music called "A Movement for Rosa". Evaluation is accomplished through in-class participation...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhythm Compositions

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders collaborate in small groups to create simple rhythmic patterns in different time signatures. Each group creates rhythms in a competitive "game" atmosphere and then constructs entire rhythmic groups for presentation to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Focus on Form

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young musicians discuss musical form found in the song, The Star Spangled Banner. They review their parts for the song then practice playing it as a group. Cross-curricular activity suggestions are included.
Lesson Plan
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A Round and A Round

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars practice singing rounds in daily warm-ups for 2 weeks prior to beginning this composition lesson. Students incorporate movement to the rhythm of each syllable, discuss syllables of words and their relationship to note...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan for Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, Mvt. I "Italian" (1833)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study the life and musical compositions of German composer, Felix Mendelssohn. They listen to and analyze 'Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, Mvt. I' describing how the mood of the composition is reflected in key, tempo and rhythm.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Musical Hoops

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars are introduced to the five health related concepts, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, body composition and flexibility through a game of musical hoops which incorporates math operations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Totally Ternary

For Teachers 1st
First graders compose a simple nursery rhyme with percussion and instrumental accompaniment in the general music classroom setting. AB form and rhythmic patterns are emphasized in this 35-40 minute lesson plan.