Music Performance Teacher Resources

Get out your Orff instruments and the text, Spotlight on Music, it's time to instruct the class in playing and performing music. They'll practice pitch, rhythm, and harmony by clapping and singing, then apply what they've learned as they...

Students practice recognizing shapes while using gross-motor skills. In this early childhood math movement lesson, students explore shapes as music plays and they walk the perimeter of large cut-out paper shapes by playing musical squares.

A big part of reading notes is knowing the counts or beats they represent. Fifth graders say, "Clap," then play the musical notes, paying close attention to the length of time each one is held or played. Sheet music for the rhythmic song...

Upper graders having skills in music performance will extend their abilities through creative musical composition. They'll use Finale 2000 to explore facets of music composition, they'll then compose a piece for their instrument in C, F,...

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...

Part of learning to play music is learning to read music. Young musicians practice the techniques needed to become strong sight readers. They learn to keep their eyes ahead, scan the sheet music, and play each piece thoughtfully. 

When we play music, we count beats both high and low. This introductory music activity explores tempo and rhythm. Learners will follow along as they clap to the beat, they clap high in the air and low. A very good introductory lesson.

First graders inquire about performing arts by conducting a musical performance in class. In this music appreciation lesson, 1st graders examine different sounds and identify their pitch, patterns and the instrument which created it....

Integrating technology and music can be a snap with lessons like this one! Kids in a junior high band class took to the Internet to download and practice playing their instrument with a computer generated back up band. They practice...

Playing music while considering form, pitch, and rhythm is the topic of this music lesson. Third graders practice playing a song in small groups and then as an ensemble. This lesson uses the text, Spotlight on Music and Orff instruments. 

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.

Allegro, largo, vivo, and andante, it's tempo time! As the metronome ticks off a variety of tempos, budding musicians work to identify them. They then create and perform a musical, singing, or movement piece which demonstrates each type...

Do you like music? Have your youngsters read We Play Music, practicing select reading strategies, like using picture clues to determine new words. Then, after their first independent read, have them re-read the story to a partner,...

This may be a lot to ask of a high schooler, but then again, who knows? Pupils work in groups to explore, write, and then perform an original opera. They view versions of The Magic Flute and La Traviata, then compose a plot, characters,...

Put on some music and get moving as a way to represent the life cycle of a caterpillar. Kids listen to the story The Very Hungary Caterpillar, discuss the life cycle, then create vocal expression that represent each stage of the cycle....

Young musicians explore the rhythms and sounds of Balinese gamelan music, then create their own. They listen to several examples of gamelan music, then use their instruments to mimic the rhythms they hear. After a warm up and practice,...

In this musical landscape worksheet, students follow the directions to answer 10 short answer questions after attending a musical performance, watching one on video, or listening to one on the radio.

Kids practice playing their Orff instruments. They follow along as the instructor leads them through a series of rhythm and note playing practice exercises. This lesson is intended for use with the Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill text, Spotlight...

In 1996, using the Internet to enhance learning was a new innovation. While the lesson here is a bit outdated, it could still provide a basic understanding of how technology can enhance music appreciation. Members of the school band...

Each section in this lesson gets to practice a specific part of the song "Love Somebody." Your fourth grade orchestra will play their Orff instruments as you instruct each instrument group as a section as a musical unit. 

Need a musical lesson for your drama or performing arts class? VH1 has put together a really neat lesson, in which learners use biographical information about Alicia Keys to write and perform a one-act musical related to her life. This...

An engaging activity enlightens young chemists in this lesson on atomic structure. They play musical chairs through a series of concentric circles that represent electon orbitals. A laundry basket in the middle holds the protons and...

An episode of Survivor involving a game of musical chairs can help preschoolers or kindergarteners practice basic counting skills. Three monsters and two chairs, then two monsters and one chair, lead to a sense of excitement. You could...

It's wonderful to see a lesson that incorporates art, movement, and writing. These three forms of creative expression are explored as learners dance to music from the Gullah people of West Africa. They analyze several paintings, listen...