5th Grade Music Activities

The carnival is here! Students explore carnival scenes with top composer Aaron Copland! These open SEL activities invite students to color their listening experience while hearing the selected music. Each featured piece of music has a unique carnival scene to color and expressive keywords to choose from.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular composers
• familiarity with a variety of musical periods
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by choosing colors related to a musical theme

You'll find five unique carnival scenes for students to explore: bumper car, rollercoaster, bouncy house, popcorn, and a concession stand. Students choose from emojis and fun-themed images to color. There are no wrong answers!

Featured Classical Music

1. Appalachian Spring
2. Down a Country Lane
3. Midsummer Nocturne
4. The Dance Symphony
5. An Outdoor Adventure

These carnival-themed listening activities are easy to implement - just print and play! The music is readily available on YouTube and your favorite streaming services. No musical training is required making these great for sub plans and summer send-home packets!

Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬

Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!

This bundle includes a great range of activities perfect for grades 5-8 for all of February!

1. Speed Friending Activity: A dynamic classroom icebreaker designed for middle and high school students. It includes a comprehensive teacher protocol, an interactive Google Slides presentation, engaging conversation rounds with embedded timers, a note-taking sheet, and a reflection writing prompt. Ideal for building classroom community, enhancing behavior management, and fostering open communication.
2. ELA Matchmaker Review Game: An 81-page ELA review resource covering synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, literary elements, and affixes & roots. It includes printable and digital versions for flexible classroom use, promoting interactive learning and critical thinking in literary concepts.
3. Black History Month Digital Resource: A set of 45 Google Slides featuring 15 influential African American artists. This resource includes detailed informational texts, short videos, and interactive response prompts. It's a comprehensive tool for exploring African American history and art, ideal for daily classroom activities.
4. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis: Titled 'Harmony of Hope,' this resource integrates Valentine's Day and Black History Month themes for middle schoolers. It includes a Google Slides presentation and a comprehensive PDF packet, featuring analysis of seven influential Civil Rights era songs.
5. GenZ Valentine's Day Cards: A collection of 24 unique, humorous, and inclusive Valentine's Day cards suitable for middle school students. These printable cards are gender-neutral, featuring relatable puns and high-quality graphics, adding a fun twist to traditional valentine exchanges.
6. The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak: An educational resource that blends science with Valentine's Day themes, targeting middle schoolers. It includes an article, a mini-lesson in Google Slides, a graphic organizer, and analytical questions. This resource enhances understanding of text features and author's purpose.
7. Valentine's Day Argumentative Writing Resource: A tool for grades 4-8 to enhance argumentative writing skills. It features 28 'Would You Rather' prompts, available in both PDF and Google Slides, to encourage debate and persuasive writing. Ideal for various classroom activities, including warm-ups and group discussions.

Are you looking for something fun and different for your students? Maybe you need some extra activities for early finishers...well look no further!

Entertain your class while integrating music and language with Music Wordle! This resources includes 46 Music Wordles that you can assign to your students or play together as a class. You could even hold a competition to see who can solve each Worldle first! There is lots of flexibility on how you can use this resource. I created this in Google Sheets. Your Music Wordle Google Sheet will include links to each of the 46 Music Wordle Puzzles. I've included a solutions tab as well as a table that includes puzzle hints, if you choose to share with your students. Each hyperlink is set up for you to make a copy of the Music World Puzzle before you play.

A fun way to match up the solfege syllables with the hand signs! In Solfege Mix n Match, each contestant will be given the 7 plastic solfege syllables (included that you can print out and laminate), which are affixed to the board with magnetic tape. In this “boy vs. girl” competition (or team 1 vs team 2), the name of a solfege syllable will appear on the screen and contestants must drag the correct hand sign to their answer box… The first contestant to drag their answer to the answer box wins that round! Keep score, award points, or just play for fun! Included are 80+ slides for your enjoyment. Have fun!

Do you want to save precious planning time? Start the new school year with a music appreciation toolbox! This power bundle includes four popular activity packs. Explore the solar system without leaving the classroom! Listen to an animal-themed carnival by Camille Saint-Saëns. Experience all four seasons and become familiar with Vivaldi's most popular suite. At the end of the year, wind down and settle in with the music of Tchaikovsky's world-renowned "The Nutcracker!" 

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular classical music
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Students use musical context clues to understand the instruments, perceive differences, and identify social-emotional themes. The heart of these resources is the listening activities where student groups listen to the piece together and note their observations. These open-ended activities allow students to compare notes, ask questions, discuss different parts of the work, and improve their listening skills.

► The Planets by Gustav Holst Classical Music Listening Activities Packet

"My students LOVED being able to use this while listening to and learning about The Planets! They loved being able to draw their own scenes whilst listening!!" - Music with Maarika

Children are fascinated by the solar system, so it's no wonder that they enjoy classical music with a space theme! "The Planets" by Gustav Holst is a great place to start. This packet contains a set of listening activities to introduce children to the orchestration and harmony of Gustav Holst's "The Planets!"

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of planets, their characteristics, and the solar system
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Printable Listening Sheets Include: (five pages per piece)

The Planets • Mars, the Bringer of War • Venus, the Bringer of Peace • Mercury, the Winged Messenger • Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity • Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age • Uranus, the Magician • Neptune, the Mystic

• Pluto, the Unpredictable (Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic)

• Earth (Jun Nagao)

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Emoji Checkboxes - Students can use checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more!

Color a Carnival - Which carnival rides and activities best fit a piece of music? Does the tempo feel like a roller coaster or a peaceful swing ride in the sky? Choose a tasty treat from the snack bar, then stop at the prize booth before finishing. There are no wrong answers!

Listen and Color - There's plenty of space for drawing, coloring, or journaling! Students can decorate the box in their own music-inspired way while choosing creative keywords that best describe their listening experience.

► Carnival of the Animals Classical Music Listening Activity Packet with Easel

"Best Carnival of the Animals resource I've purchased." - Faith S.

The Carnival of the Animals Activity Packet introduces students to the music of Camille Saint-Saëns. With these listening activities, students will become familiar with each character in this work and develop a deeper appreciation for the music.

Students use musical context clues to understand the instruments, perceive differences, and identify shared characteristics across species. The heart of this resource is the listening activities where student groups listen to the piece together and note their observations. This resource allows students to compare notes, ask questions, discuss different parts of the work, and improve their listening skills.

There are fourteen movements based on animals, including elephants, birds, tortoises, and even lions! From the magical notes of "Aquarium" to the soothing strings of "The Swan," Saint-Saëns' "The Carnival of the Animals" is a wondrous musical journey.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of The Carnival of the Animals
• compare/contrast which instruments represent animal sounds and behavior
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Music Featured in Each Pack:

Introduction and Royal March of the Lion • Hens and Roosters • Wild Donkeys Swift Animals • Tortoises • The Elephant • Kangaroos • Aquarium • Characters with Long Ears • The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods • Aviary • Pianists • Fossils • The Swan • Finale

► Vivaldi Four Seasons Classical Music Listening Packet with Easel Activity

"This resource contains such a wide variety of listening reflection sheets!! My students loved using them as they listened, compared, and contrasted the various sections of Vivaldi's Four Seasons!" - Michelle B.

Introduce Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" to your students! This activity pack now includes the original and new listening sheet formats. Choose your own Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter adventure!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi
• observe seasonal/weather influences within a composition
• familiarity with the Baroque musical period
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Music Featured in Each Pack:

Spring • Summer • Autumn • Winter

► The Nutcracker Classical Music Listening Activity Packet with Easel Activity

"My students loved this resource as we learned about The Nutcracker. I used this resource as a review of what we had watched that day. I also used this as a time filler for my older students when they were done with their quizzes. It was great for all elementary grades! I recommend if you are teaching The Nutcracker and want something low prep and engaging." - Tawny H.

Do you need engaging music activities for December? "The Nutcracker" Listening Sheets will add festive cheer to your class party, homeschool meetups, or holiday family fun! There are 135 pages of four different activities included in this pack. Also great as sub plans and brain breaks!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of The Nutcracker Suite
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Music Featured in Each Pack:

Overture • The Christmas Tree • March • Gallop And Dance Of The Parents • The Presents Of Drosselmeyer • Grandfather Dance • Clara And The Nutcracker • Battle with the Mouse King • In The Christmas Tree • Waltz Of The Snowflakes • The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets • Clara And Prince Charming • Chocolate (Spanish Dance) • Coffee (Arabian Dance) • Tea (Chinese Dance) • Trepak (Russian Dance) • Dance Of The Reed Pipes • Polichinelle (The Clown) • Waltz Of The Flowers • Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy") • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy • Grand Finale

Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬

Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!

Dive into the world of argumentative writing with a fresh, culturally relevant approach! This comprehensive resource uses the popular song "The Boy is Mine" by Brandy and Monica to introduce middle school students to the key elements of a strong argument.

Learning Objectives:

• Trace an argument using song lyrics.
• Identify the essential components of an argumentative essay.

What's Inside:

• A 60-minute lesson plan aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.
• A 12-slide PowerPoint presentation.
• Chunked and labeled song lyrics for clarity and ease of tracing arguments.
• Vocabulary words: argument, counterargument, and rebuttal.
• Engaging writing activities, including a Do Now, lyric annotation, and a tracing argument graphic organizer.

Usage Scenario: Perfect for middle school ELA teachers and interventionists, this resource is both engaging and educational. Start with a Do Now activity, delve into vocabulary, and introduce students to the iconic artists. After watching the music video, students will actively engage with the lyrics, tracing the arguments of each singer. By the end of the lesson, students will form and share their opinions on which singer presented the strongest argument. The PowerPoint also includes additional discourse questions for extended engagement.

Highlights!

• Print & Go: This resource is ready to be used with minimal preparation.
• High Engagement: Incorporate what students love (music) with what they need to master (argumentative writing).
• Culturally Relevant: Connect with students using a song they recognize and enjoy.

Elevate your teaching game with this innovative resource. Ideal for middle school grades, it aligns with key educational standards, ensuring your students are on the right track while having fun!

Working on aural theory with your kids? With "Rhythm Mixup" students shuffle up notecards with quarter notes, 2-beamed eighth notes, half notes, and quarter rests to reflect the musical example being played! We start off the first lesson (level 1) with a brief overview of rhythm from Quaver's Marvelous World of Music, and then head right into rhythm mixup. Students will lay out their notation cards (you can either print these out or have the students draw them on a whiteboard, etc), and then a musical example will be played. Students will have to put the notes in the order that they hear the music example -- hence, the "mixup"! Level 2, goes into quarter rests and the students will have to place it appropriately (hint: it's never at the beginning or end of the phrase!) :) Students identify rhythms upon hearing them and use their aural skills to dictate where each rhythm is placed. Make sure to play these several times, especially for the younger ones so they can check their work! Designed in Powerpoint 2007, all animations and transitions should work on machines that support it. A file is included for instructions on how to install fonts. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have fun!

Students love learning about Duke Ellington's music because his work is innovative, creative, and groundbreaking! His unique blend of jazz, blues, and classical musical elements in addition to his use of lush orchestrations and extended improvisation make every Ellington piece a unique experience.

Ellington composed over two thousand pieces in his lifetime and each one offers something new, exciting, and memorable. It's easy to see why students are so passionate about learning and exploring the amazing music of Duke Ellington!

Did You Know?

• Edward Ellington was known as the "Duke" for his suave and classy demeanor.
• He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966.
• The "Duke" was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.
• "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Duke Ellington Classical Music Listening Activities

What’s Inside:

• Five-Star Rating Guide
• Composer Fact Sheet: Each composer fact sheet in this series includes fun, basic information – full name, birthplace, birth date, and more. One of the composer’s most popular compositions is also included. The fact sheet contains a place for writing fun facts or notes.
• Word Composer Activity: In the classic letter puzzle, students can use all the letters from the composer's full name to create new, shorter words. Add a timer for an extra challenge.
• Birthplace Fact Sheet: Use your favorite geographical resource to find the country’s language(s), leadership, traditional foods, and more! The historical name of some territories may have changed, but the most modern country is used for easy reference.
• Birthday Coloring Page: A fun coloring page repeats the composer’s birthday, and invites the artist to color in a special cupcake to celebrate the occasion.
• Composer Study Page: Students compile a short biographical page with the composer's full name, birthplace, instruments, and more!
• Composer Vocabulary A six-word vocabulary list that typically includes the composer’s name, birthplace, instrument, or other related terms. Space is provided to trace each term and the included handwriting paper can be used for additional practice.
• Full Writing Page
• Writing/Drawing Page
• Drawing Page
• Listening Activity Sheets Listening sheets include the title of a popular piece, the composer, a black & white composer to color in, and a space for drawing any scene that may come to mind when listening. There are additional options to identify the mood of a piece and indicate which instruments are playing.
• Weather Color & Listen Sheet: While listening to the selected piece, students can color in the weather elements they feel and hear.
• Emotions Color & Listen Sheet: Students color the character(s) that best identify their emotions while listening to the music.
• Emojis Color & Listen Sheet: Twelve emojis to choose from! Students choose the emoji faces that best match their feelings or impressions about the music.

★ Duke Ellington Classical Music Activities, Black History Month, April, Jazz

Printable Listening Sheets (four pages per piece!)

1. Take the 'A' Train
2. It Don't Mean a Thing
3. In a Sentimental Mood
4. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
5. Perdido
6. Rockin' in Rhythm
7. C-Jam Blues
8. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
9. Soda Fountain Rag
10. Harlem

Resource Contents:

Composer Fact Sheet - From the composer's birthplace to the instruments they've studied, this one-page reference sheet will make a great handout for your students.

Birthplace Guide - Add in some geographical research to discover more about where the composer was born! This page includes space for writing the capital, language, and even a popular food.

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Printable Listening Sheet Sets Include:

1. It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Take the 'A' Train
4. Mood Indigo
5. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
6. Perdido
7. Rockin' in Rhythm

★ BONUS FILE! Duke Ellington Carnival Listening Sheets (same music!)

These NEW activity sheets feature a carnival theme! Students can color their carnival while listening to this selection of Duke Ellington compositions!

Which carnival rides and activities would best fit a piece of music? Does the tempo feel like a roller coaster or a peaceful swing ride in the sky? Choose a tasty treat from the snack bar, then stop at the prize booth before finishing. There are no wrong answers!

Carnival Listening Sheets Include:

1. It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Take the 'A' Train
4. Mood Indigo
5. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
6. Perdido
7. Rockin' in Rhythm
8. Soda Fountain Rag

Duke Ellington Word Search, April Activities, Black History Month

No Prep! Do you need engaging activities to accompany your Jazz unit or Duke Ellington composer studies? Students can search for Ellington-themed words in this 15x15 word grid. 15 words can be found up, down, or across! Answer key included.

Duke Ellington Composer Activities, Black History Month, Classical Music

Just print & play! Do you need engaging Duke Ellington activities or music sub plans? Each page offers creative ways for students to learn more about the classical compositions of Duke Ellington!

Resouce Includes:

1-page Resource Guide - This guide will get you started quickly! Just print and play.

Listening Sheet Star Rating Guides - A reference sheet illustrates the five-star rating system included in most listening sheets. Each frame has a description, with one being "okay" and 5 stars as "Wow!"

Listening Sheets - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more. There is a space for drawing and several non-musical elements to consider, such as animals and nature.

Weather and Emotions Listening Sheets

Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

2 Biography Pages - Fact sheet (1 or 2 facts are already provided, a box to paste/draw the composer's portrait, and a birthday box to color in and decorate cupcakes! A duplicate blank page is included for students to do their own research.

Composer Research Sheet - Students can use their favorite reference materials to compile a full page of facts about the composer's home country. Some of the research options include capital, continent, population, food, and more.

Composer Rating Activity - There are more options to profile the composer on the rating sheet, including which season and musical style they belong to. This can also be used as a listening sheet or as a bulletin board display.

Word Composer Activity - In the classic letter puzzle, students can use all the letters from the composer's full name to create new, shorter words and record their scores. Add a timer for an extra challenge.

Musical Selections (two pages per piece)

1. Take the 'A' Train
2. It Don't Mean a Thing
3. Mood Indigo
4. In a Sentimental Mood
5. Perdido
6. Rockin' in Rhythm
7. C-Jam Blues
8. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.

Celebrate Valentine's Day and Black History Month with 'Harmony of Hope,' an inspiring and educational music analysis resource designed for middle school students (Grades 5-8). This engaging and no-prep-required package brilliantly combines themes of love, hope, and inspiration through the lens of pivotal songs from the Civil Rights Movement.

What's Inside:

• Google Slides Presentation (32 Slides): Each slide is a journey into the heart of the Civil Rights era, featuring seven influential songs: "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Respect," "My Girl," "Get Ready," "What's Going On," "People Get Ready," and "Young, Gifted and Black," along with the powerful "Say it Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud." The presentation includes captivating introductions to each artist, music video, thought-provoking discussion questions, and clear directions for exploring each song.
• Comprehensive PDF Packet (10 Pages): This downloadable packet offers the complete lyrics for each song, alongside a notes section for personal reflections and a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reason) based open-ended writing prompt, encouraging deep analytical and creative thinking.

Perfect For:

• Black History Month and Valentine's Day Thematic Learning: This unique resource combines historical significance with themes of love and resilience, offering a multifaceted approach to February's key celebrations.
• Engaging Classroom Discussions: Spark meaningful conversations among students about history, music, and social change.
• Easy Integration into Curriculum: Seamlessly fits into social studies, music, and English language arts lessons.
• No-Prep Convenience: Simply print the materials and you're ready to go! Ideal for busy teachers looking for ready-to-use educational tools.

Bring the powerful messages of hope, love, and inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement into your classroom this February with 'Harmony of Hope.' Engage, educate, and inspire your middle school students with this one-of-a-kind resource!

Wanna get your Orff Ensemble moving and grooving but don't know where to start? Get percussive with five original compositions for your Orff Ensemble.

This Orff Ensemble orchestration provides parts for Soprano Glockenspiel, Soprano Xylophone, Alto Xylophone, Bass Xylophone, Percussion, and Boomwhackers with color coded notes. All parts work together and you can perform the arrangement with all or just some of the parts. Xylophone doubles as the Metallophone part if you have Metallophones.

You are free to dissect melodies and harmonies to what you wish, or play right from the beginning tothe end. Most arrangements are around 18-24 measures long. 3 of the pieces are in C major, 2 are in D minor (best wishes to those who have a removable B-flat bar!)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Enjoy!

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? This BIG Back to School Bundle includes 73 full resource packs!

Jump right into the composer studies or just rest a little easier knowing you have engaging worksheets for whenever you may need them. Instant music appreciation in your sub plans? Yes, please!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular classical music composers
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Save time! The music selections are already curated for you. This means that you don’t have to spend hours searching for the perfect pieces of music for your lessons. You can simply choose from the pre-selected music and get started right away!

Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies. Classical music can be used to enhance a wide variety of lessons and unit studies. For example, you could use it to teach history, literature, or even math. The music can help students to understand the time period, the culture, or the concepts that you are teaching.

Students explore social-emotional themes through listening. Classical music can help students to explore a variety of social-emotional themes, such as sadness, joy, anger, and peace. By listening to the music, students can learn to identify and understand these emotions. They can also learn how to express these emotions in a healthy way.

Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students. The activities that are included in this product are low-prep and engaging. You can easily implement them in your classroom without spending a lot of time or effort! These mindful listening activities also help students to focus and to relax.

Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services. The music included in these resources is available on YouTube and other popular music services. This means that you can easily access the music and play it for your students!

No musical training is required – just print and play! There are no prerequisites for these resources. Simply print out the activities and play the music! Your students will be able to enjoy the music and learn about classical music without any prior knowledge.

Composer Listening Packs (42 composers)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • John Williams • Frédéric Chopin • Duke Ellington • Johannes Brahms • George Walker • Gustav Mahler • Claude Debussy • Clara Schumann • Franz Liszt • John Philip Sousa • Ludwig Van Beethoven •  Amy Beach • Melba Liston • Florence Price • Mary Lou Williams • Fanny Mendelssohn • Scott Joplin • Charles Mingus • John Coltrane • Nat King Cole • Art Tatum • Dizzy Gillespie • Charlie Parker • Thelonious Monk • Joseph Bologne • Antonio Vivaldi • Sergei Rachmaninoff • George Gershwin • Joseph Haydn • Carl P.E. Bach • Johann Christian Bach • Antonio Salieri • George Handel • Claudio Monteverdi • Henry Purcell • Antonio Scarlatti • Johann Pachelbel • Wilhelm F Bach • Pyotr Tchaikovsky • Aaron Copland • Charles Ives

Mindful Listening (12 seasons/holidays)

Just print & play! Add a mindful music activity to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. These listening sheets are also great for sub plans - and with 150+ categorized classical pieces to choose from, there is an engaging printable for any occasion!

► Hello, January! (New Year) (30 pages)

► Sweet February (Valentine's Day) (42 pages)

► Emerald March (St. Patrick's Day) (24 pages)

► April Sunshine (Spring) (22 pages)

► May Flowers (Flowers) (24 pages)

► Woodland June (Trees) (24 pages)

► Patriotic July (4th of July) (24 pages)

► August Summer (Ocean & Earth) (26 pages)

► September Days (Autumn) (24 pages)

► Spooky October (Halloween) (60 pages)

► Calm November (Thanksgiving) (44 pages)

► Festive December (Winter) (42 pages)

Teacher Appreciation Bundle (six resource packs)

Two listening sheets are included for each piece, for a total of 174 listening activities.

► Winterreise (Schubert) (50 pages)

► Album for the Young, Op. 39 (Tchaikovsky) (50 pages)

► Four Ogives (Satie) (10 pages)

► Hungarian Rhapsodies (Liszt) (40 pages)

► Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky) (24 pages)

► Brandenburg Concertos (16 pages)

Social-Emotional Listening Bundle (five resource packs)

Just Print & Play! Four resources are included in the "Emotions in Music" bundle! These resources explore what makes a piece of music have feelings - is it the tempo? Instruments? Students record the listening experience in their own unique way!

► Excited Classical Music (47 pages)

► Sad Classical Music (47 pages)

► Happy Classical Music (47 pages)

► Calming Sunshine Classical Music (26 pages)

► Peaceful Classical Music

World Classical Music Bundle (featuring eight countries)

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? This activity bundle takes listeners around the world with classical music from eight countries! Each listening pack features some of the country's most notable, distinctive, and well-loved pieces.

► Classical Music of Australia (28 pages)

► Classical Music of Canada (28 pages)

► Classical Music of Italy (26 pages)

► Classical Music of New Zealand (28 pages)

► Classical Music of Portugal (30 pages)

► Classical Music of Spain (24 pages)

► Classical Music of the United States (28 pages)

► Classical Music of France (25 pages)

+ BONUS FILE

This bundle has you covered with engaging listening activities, but what about visual learning? Grab this pack of 70 Composer Fact Sheet Posters as a free bonus! These calming rainbow-themed posters can also work as handouts, or resize them in your print settings for colorful flashcards.

Engage your middle school ELA and humanities curriculum with our meticulously crafted "Survivor" by Destiny's Child Lesson 3-day bundle, designed for grades 5-8. This culturally relevant, comprehensive package seamlessly integrates music and media studies with critical ELA standards, making learning an engaging and transformative experience for students.

What's Included?

• Detailed Lesson Plans: Three structured plans for 60-minute classes, focusing on figurative language, visual elements, and literary analysis.
• Google Slides Presentations: Interactive presentations for easy instruction and student engagement.
• ✅ Answer Keys: Complete solutions for all activities, ensuring straightforward assessment.
• Visual and Literary Analysis Tools: Resources to explore music videos and lyrics in-depth.

Who Is This For?

• Middle School Teachers (Grades 5-8)
• ELA, Writing, and Humanities Educators
• Elective Teachers in Film and Music Study

How to Use This Resource

1. Engage Students: Begin each lesson with a "Do Now" to spark interest.
2. Teach with Technology: Use Google Slides for a dynamic presentation.
3. Collaborative Learning: Encourage group activities for deeper analysis.
4. Assessment Made Easy: Utilize provided answer keys for quick grading.

Standards Aligned

• CCSS 7.3: Determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.
• CCSS 7.4: Analyzing how elements of a story interact.
• CCSS 7.7: Integrating and evaluating content presented in diverse media and formats.

This resource not only meets critical educational standards but also caters to diverse learning environments, whether in traditional ELA settings or innovative electives. By incorporating "Survivor" into your curriculum, you'll offer students a unique lens through which to explore themes of resilience, empowerment, and the artistic expression of personal growth. Equip your students with the skills to analyze and appreciate the depth of language and media with this all-encompassing resource.

Five jamming Boomwhacker arrangements for your classroom! Each Boomwhacker is assigned an 8 beat rhythm, most different than others. This gives kids opportunities to reinforce their own rhythms while playing in an ensemble. If you want to explore a different method, you can split half of the class on one rhythm, and the other half on a different. You could play them in a round, canon, explore different dynamics, loop it -- the possibilities are endless! And with 5 different compositions, you'll have the freedom to explore without getting tired of the same arrangement. This can also be used with non-pitched and even pitched percussion. Included is a 5 minute African drum groove to get your kids going. Have fun -- here comes the boom!

"My students love the Nutcracker and these activities are a great, time-saving resource for my unit." - Erin E.

Do you need fun & engaging music activities? "The Nutcracker" and "Hello, December" Listening Sheets are now a bundle! Combine both of these sets for a cozy and festive winter classroom!

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of The Nutcracker Suite and winter-themed music
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

What's Included:

• 1-page Resource Guide
• Listening Sheet Star Rating Guide (Students rate with snowflakes/ornaments!)
• Listening Sheets
• Weather and Emotions Listening Sheets

Musical Selections included with "The Nutcracker" (two pages per piece:)

1. Overture
2. The Christmas Tree
3. March
4. Gallop And Dance Of The Parents
5. Presents Of Drosselmeyer
6. Grandfather Dance
7. Clara And The Nutcracker
8. Battle with the Mouse King
9. In The Christmas Tree
10. Waltz Of The Snowflakes
11. The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets
12. Clara And Prince Charming
13. Chocolate (Spanish Dance)
14. Coffee (Arabian Dance)
15. Tea (Chinese Dance)
16. Trepak (Russian Dance)
17. Dance Of The Reed Pipes
18. Polichinelle (The Clown)
19. Waltz Of The Flowers
20. Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy")
21. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
22. Grand Finale

Musical Selections included with "Festive December" (two pages per piece:)

1. Carol of the Bells, Leontovych
2. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Tchaikovsky
3. Four Seasons (Winter,) Vivaldi
4. Troika, Prokofiev
5. Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, Tchaikovsky
6. The Snow is Dancing, Debussy
7. Footprints in the Snow, Debussy
8. Piano Concerto No. 1, Rachmaninoff
9. Symphony No. 11, Raff
10. Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev
11. Ice Dance, Elfman
12. Winter Wind, Chopin
13. Alpine Symphony, Strauss
14. Waltz of the Flowers, Tchaikovsky
15. Sinfonia, Vivaldi
16. Winterreise, Schubert
17. Chasse-Neige, Liszt
18. The Snow Maiden, Rimsky-Korsakov
19. String Quartet in F Major, Ravel
20. Etude Op. 25, No. 1, Chopin
21. Sinfonia Antarctic, Williams

Dive into the rich tapestry of Black history with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle, meticulously crafted for educators passionate about providing a comprehensive, interactive, and engaging learning experience. This bundle combines a variety of resources, ensuring a well-rounded approach to teaching pivotal moments and figures in Black history. Suitable for grades 4-8, these resources are perfect for integrating into ELA, Social Studies, Art, and more.

1. Black History Month Athlete Trading Cards - Interactive Digital & Print Resource: Engage and educate your students with this interactive set of athlete trading cards. Celebrate the achievements of influential Black athletes with this 60-slide resource, perfect for classroom activities, creative projects, and bulletin board displays.
2. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE: Dive into the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with this STAAR test prep text. Designed for students in grades 6-8, this resource not only enriches students' knowledge about an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement but also sharpens their test-taking skills.
3. MLK 3 Interactive Timelines, Bulletin Boards & Door Decor: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with interactive timelines and visually appealing decor. This resource is perfect for creating an educational environment that celebrates MLK's journey and teachings, inspiring students through interactive learning and creative expression.
4. Black History Month Digital Resource - 45 Google Slides, 15 Texts, Video & Writing: This comprehensive digital resource is a treasure trove of information, featuring 45 Google Slides, 15 texts, videos, and writing prompts. It's designed to provide a rich educational experience, sparking discussions and deepening understanding.
5. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis (Grades 5-8) - Valentine's Day Special: Analyze the profound messages in songs from the Civil Rights Movement with this unique resource. It's an engaging way for students to connect with history through music, enhancing their analytical skills and emotional understanding of the era.
6. Color & Discover Modern Heroes of Black History Month - Freebie: This creative resource allows students to learn about modern heroes of Black History Month through coloring activities. It's a fun, engaging way to introduce younger students to influential figures and their contributions.
7. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE (Duplicate): Reinforce your students' understanding and appreciation of Claudette Colvin's courageous stand during the Civil Rights Movement with this STAAR test prep text. This resource doubles the opportunity to integrate critical reading and historical knowledge into your test preparation activities.

Each resource in this bundle is thoughtfully designed to cater to different learning styles and classroom needs, making it the perfect package to explore, celebrate, and honor Black History Month in your classroom. Equip your students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a deep appreciation for the contributions and stories of Black individuals with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle.

For your printouts and powerpoints, this pack of notation has everything -- Wholes, Halves, Quarters, Eighths, and Sixteenths. The notation is vectorized and transparent, so it will fit alongside any background in powerpoint There are word files with notation templates included as well, if you'd like to print multiple of one note You can use these to make flash cards, rhythm building, and much more!

Help your students gain a greater understanding of The Nutcracker Suite with this set of listening sheets! The Nutcracker Classical Music Activity Packet provides 268 pages of different activities that will help build a classical music foundation for your students. Its goal is to increase knowledge of The Nutcracker Suite and comprehension of scenes and characters.

See What's Inside

Be sure to check out the preview file above for a closer look into what this activity pack includes. You'll find 17 pages of activity demos, descriptions, and teacher testimonials!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of The Nutcracker Suite
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Music Featured in Each Pack:

Overture • The Christmas Tree • March • Gallop And Dance Of The Parents • The Presents Of Drosselmeyer • Grandfather Dance • Clara And The Nutcracker • Battle with the Mouse King • In The Christmas Tree • Waltz Of The Snowflakes • The Magic Castle On The Mountain Of Sweets • Clara And Prince Charming • Chocolate (Spanish Dance) • Coffee (Arabian Dance) • Tea (Chinese Dance) • Trepak (Russian Dance) • Dance Of The Reed Pipes • Polichinelle (The Clown) • Waltz Of The Flowers • Pas De Deux (3rd Movement contains "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy") • Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy • Grand Finale

Nutcracker Listening Activity Sheets (Located in Bonus File Section)

Music Rating Guides - full color/black & white

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a pleasant sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Nutcracker Listen and Color Activity Sheets (22 pages)

Pair art with music! Students color the characters while listening to featured music from The Nutcracker. There are four categories of keywords to circle/highlight that describe their listening experience. Blank lines are for writing in their own words. There are no wrong answers! Discuss and display for further engagement.

"This is a fabulous resource! The kids really enjoyed deciding how the music made them feel. It ties well with the curriculum and I will definitely be using it again!" - Stephen G.

The Nutcracker Checkbox Listening Sheets (24 pages)

Emoji Rating Guide (14 emojis to choose from, color and b&w)

Listening Sheets - there are no wrong answers! Students can use the checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more!

The Nutcracker Tracker (1 page)

Students can track their listening progress by coloring a box for each piece! Select a few or listen to all twenty-two!

The Nutcracker Jazz Suite by Duke Ellington (14 pages)

These Nutcracker-themed printable listening sheets offer creative music appreciation! Most performances online of the full suite range from twenty to thirty minutes. Students will recognize some of the most familiar pieces! Great for incorporating jazz into this seasonal favorite.

Nutcracker Fairytale Story (45 pages)

Nutcracker Story listening sheets combine music appreciation with a fairy tale theme! Students compose their wondrous tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!

"I don't feel like I do a very good job of teaching dance/music in our Arts Ed strands, so this was a handy resource as a way of guiding my teaching. I was surprised just how into the Nutcracker my students got!" - Nadine

The Nutcracker Story Writing Packet (30 pages)

These story sheets feature The Nutcracker! Compose a Nutcracker-themed story or use these activity pages for seasonal handwriting practice.

The Nutcracker Word Search (1 page)

No Prep! Word search activities offer many benefits for students. They can help students learn new vocabulary, improve spelling skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. These word search activities are great for reviewing musical concepts in a fun and challenging way! Word search activities also make engaging brain breaks and bell-ringers.

"My students enjoy doing something different in Music Class. This is the first time I used a word find. The students were engaged right away. I needed something to use after our Christmas performance. It was perfect and saved me a lot of time." - Bonnie

The Nutcracker Performance Journal (1 page)

No Prep! Do you need engaging activities to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Students can note their favorite elements from "The Nutcracker" with this scrapbook-style journal/coloring page! Includes favorite dance, scene, costume, moment, character, and music.

"Great to use with our Nutcracker unit. Thanks." - Deborah

The Nutcracker Music Note Matching Game/Center (24 pages)

Learning to read music can have many benefits for students. These colorful music note-matching cards and posters are easy to set up and fun to use! Note-matching games are a great activity for both individual and group learning. They are easy to set up and can be adapted to different skill levels, making them suitable for learners of all ages.

"This was a fun match-up game for my students! They had a fun time with this for a last day soft start!" - Jean

The Nutcracker Handwriting/Tracing Pack (20 pages)

Do you need fun & engaging handwriting activities for December? These tracing and handwriting practice sheets feature The Nutcracker! Each page has a number to trace and write, with a coloring practice at the bottom. Blank pages (with pictures) are also included for additional practice or story writing.

"Love these!" - Conrady Creations

The Nutcracker Scene List Performance Handouts (3 pages)

No Prep! Do you need a scene list to accompany "The Nutcracker?" Performances will vary, but this easy-to-use guide includes the scenes found in most productions! The scene list can be used to follow along, given as student handouts, or used as a planning page for your Nutcracker activities/units.

"My students enjoyed learning about the music from Nutcracker." - Leslie

The Nutcracker Bingo Game (38 pages)

Add this Bingo game to your Nutcracker unit or winter sub plans! Students will enjoy racing to find Clara, the Mouse King, Godfather Drosselmeyer, and more! There are also a few festive objects like cupcakes and ornaments. Great for printing on Astrobrights paper!

"My students LOVED playing Nutcracker BINGO. It was a great activity to use after we learned about the history of and read a version of The Nutcracker. They were extremely engaged, and it was a great review of characters and dances from the ballet/story." - Rebecca M.

The Nutcracker Posters (set of 12)

Bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life with these colorful Nutcracker-themed posters for your bulletin boards! Each poster showcases a beloved musical piece from this enchanting ballet, bringing the magic of the stage right into your classroom or homeschool.

From the dreamy Waltz of the Snowflakes to the exhilarating Chinese Dance, these visually stunning posters will transport you to the Land of Sweets. Perfect for music appreciation, dance classes, or simply adding a touch of holiday cheer, these posters are a must-have for any Nutcracker unit study!

Easel Activity

Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose keyword lists describing their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.

Working on melodic direction in your unit? Reinforce it with "Connect the Dots!", a mix and match game that challenges your students to put the melodies in the correct order as you hear them. After starting off with a brief introduction to writing a melody from Quaver Music (video included), you begin the lesson and discuss melodic motion -- melodies can go up, down, or stay the same. For the activity, there will be 10 musical examples (provided and labeled) which you will play for your students. Each example has 3 or 4 melody tiles which are out of order. After listening to the example, your students have to put the tiles in order to reflect what they hear on the example. The first slide of the series will have blank grey boxes, and the following slide will have the answer for the students to check. For my 3rd graders, I usually play them a few times, but for my 5th graders they get it right on the spot! There a few ways to have the students answer -- they can come to the whiteboard and us a dry erase to indicate, they can put labeled cards on the floor, or they can use personal whiteboards to draw on. Or you can have it boys vs. girls, and make it a timed race! Included are a powerpoint file (with special fonts and instructions for installation) and a standalone PDF in case you prefer that way. Have a great time with this, and feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns!

Right this way to the circus! Students explore five circus scenes with TEN top composers! These open SEL activities invite students to color their listening experience while hearing the selected music. Each featured piece of music has a unique circus scene to color and expressive keywords to choose from.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular composers
• familiarity with a variety of musical periods
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by choosing colors related to a musical theme

You'll find five unique circus scenes for students to explore: juggling, unicycle, animal friends, trapeze artist, and a clown. Students choose from emojis and fun circus-themed images to color. There are no wrong answers!

Featured Composers

1. John Williams
2. Johann Strauss II
3. Clara Schumann
4. Scott Joplin
5. George Gershwin
6. Duke Ellington
7. Aaron Copland
8. Johannes Brahms
9. Ludwig Van Beethoven
10. Johann Sebastian Bach

These circus-themed listening activities are easy to implement - just print and play! The music is readily available on YouTube and your favorite streaming services. No musical training is required making these great for sub plans and summer send-home packets!

Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬

Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!

The following up to the best-selling "Here comes the Boom!", is our new-look, updated format "Here comes the Boom AGAIN!" Each box contains a number of beats and the corresponding boomwhacker tubes that go along with beats (color-coded for your kids to view)! To the teacher’s discretion, students can play quarter notes, half notes, eighth note patterns, or simply create their own rhythms and improvise within the specific beat period. Teachers can also assign rhythms (quarter and eighth note patterns). After the measures are completed, move to the next box (from left to right, up to down) The best part about “Here Comes the Boom AGAIN” is the rocking background tracks! Custom songs the kids can rock out to (with moderate tempi, all under 120bpm), all following the chord progressions map on each song. You receive 5 custom songs in the package and each song has a faster counterpart (just in case you have advanced kids with lots of rhythm). All songs repeat once. In addition, you will receive the master PDF file along with directions a master chord progression chart (just in case you want to play along) If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com. Happy boomwhacking! Graphics by Jena Hudson: http://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Jena-Hudson-At-Sew-Much-Music/