$5 - $10 5th Grade Music Activities (by date, oldest first)

We now offer you a new twist on our best selling bucket drumming arrangements, here is the "The Imperial March" from John Williams' Star Wars played as a DUET!

There are five color coded slides with the left portion of the slide being the 1st part of the arrangement and the right portion of the slide being the 2nd part part of the arrangement. Both colors are played simultaneously, (as you would read them horizontally) and then go to the next line of the phrase simultaneously.

Teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

This is a great arrangement to talk about different timbres, rests and empty space, and have students practice independence from other parts of the ensemble.

Here's the track so you can play along... (recorded by the LSO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3SZ5sIMY6o

Taking a break from our arrangements is the Bucket Drum Battle, a series of 8 different bucket drumming etudes that will work your kids silly! With a cutting edge template with modern fonts and a wide array of colors, this will be sure to get your kids hyped up for this coming year!

From the Grey Drum all the way to the Black Drum, your students will learn rhythms, sticking, and work individually to ace their rhythms. After you review the rhythms, sticking, and procedure with your students, play one of the accompaniment tracks (slow, medium, or brisk) and have them all perform together.

Then, ask students individually to play the battle piece. If they master it, add a bucket onto their name chart (included!). Play one, play all! Think of it like the "Recorder Karate" for bucket drums :)

Included you receive:

• 8 color coded rhythm etudes on PowerPoint and PDF
• Accompaniment mp3 files (slow, medium, brisk, 80-120bpm)
• Record keeping chart to for tracking student progress
• jpegs of each rhythm for printing
• Tips and techniques to watch out for printed on each slide

Don't have bucket drums? Try StickStations, hand drums, tubanos, rhythm sticks, or Orff instruments! Anything you can do a rhythm on!

Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with Our #1 selling Imagine Dragons' hit, "Believer"!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4, 6, or 8 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

Here's the track so you can play along...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wtfhZwyrcc

Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!

Terms of Use:

All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.

__________________________________

*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

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!

Are you ready to embark on a musical journey through time? The Opera Listening Activity Pack is the perfect way to introduce your students to the captivating world of opera! With a carefully curated selection of some of the world's most beloved performances, this engaging resource will inspire creativity, enhance critical thinking, and foster a love for the arts.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular composers and performers
• 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 elements related to a musical theme

What's Included?

• 2 performance terms/definitions handouts (color and black & white)
• 9 colorful performance terms/definitions posters/flashcards
• 15 opera performance listening pages with stage and keywords
• 15 create-your-own opera pages with stage and writing space
• 15 choose-your-own opera performers coloring page

Featured Arias and Performances

1. Nessun Dorma (Turandot) Giacomo Puccini
2. O Mio Babbino Caro (Gianni Schicchi) Giacomo Puccini
3. La Donna è Mobile (Rigoletto) Giuseppe Verdi
4. Habanera (Carmen) Georges Bizet
5. Ave Maria (Otello) Giuseppe Verdi
6. Quando M'en Vo (La Bohème) by Giacomo Puccini
7. Largo al Factotum (The Barber of Seville) Gioachino Rossini
8. The Flower Duet (Lakmé) Léo Delibes
9. Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici (La Traviata) Giuseppe Verdi
10. Vesti la Giubba (Pagliacci) Ruggero Leoncavallo
11. Sempre Libera (La Traviata) Giuseppe Verdi
12. O Sole Mio by Eduardo di Capua
13. Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore) Giuseppe Verdi
14. The Toreador Song (Carmen) Georges Bizet
15. Una Furtiva Lagrima (L'elisir d'amore) Gaetano Donizetti

These opera-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!

Do you want your students to experience the beauty, power, and emotion of Sergei Rachmaninoff's music? From engaging listening activities to space and fairy tales, this resource pack contains everything students need to appreciate Rachmaninoff's most iconic works! His music is a powerful tool that can help your students learn, grow, and connect with each other.

Music Appreciation Benefits

Listening to classical music helps with self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. Since social-emotional learning is crucial for children, incorporating classical music into your classroom or homeschool is a great way to support their development!

Learning Objectives

• increased biographical knowledge of the composer
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize and engage with iconic 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

Whether you need a music brain break or a complete composer study, you can find activities quickly using the clickable table of contents. Mix and match or complete them all!

Biography Pages - The biography page is an introduction to the composer. Basic facts are included, along with a coloring space and listening tracker!

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

Composer Rating Activity - More options to profile the composer on the rating sheet, including which season and musical style they match.

Word Builder 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.

Mindful Listening Sheets - There are no wrong answers! Students listen to the selected music and choose meaningful keywords they associate with what they hear. The emotions and weather page allows students to color their experiences.

Weather and Emotions - 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.

Listen and Color - Pair art with music! Students can draw, color, or even journal while listening to the selected music! There are four categories of keywords to circle or highlight that describe their listening experience.

Classical Fairy Tale - Storytime! These listening sheets combine music appreciation with a storybook theme! Students compose their wondrous tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There is also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations.

Classical Space Tale - More storytime! These listening sheets combine music appreciation with an intergalactic theme! Students compose their epic space tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar space objects inspired by the music. There is also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations.

Listen and Draw - The Fairy Tale and Space Tale sets have a framed drawing page for listeners to create music-inspired art! Great for younger students or for hosting a classroom art display.

Listening Checkboxes - 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! Students can also color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid.

Star Rating Guides - Print one or more copies of the star rating guide to help students choose their rating. Half and quarter stars can also be encouraged! Students can color their own star rating using the black-and-white guide.

Featured Music Activities

Just print and play! You can find the music on YouTube or your favorite streaming services.

Piano Concerto No. 2

Prelude in C-sharp minor

Rhapsody on a Theme

Second Symphony

Third Piano Concerto

Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14

The Bells, Op. 35

Prelude in G minor, Op. 23

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!

Do you need engaging printables for your composer or classical music units? Composer word builder pages are wonderful for composer studies or adding in with your sub plans! Students "build" words using letters from the composer's name. Host a classroom race or let each student finish in their own time.

Composers Included:

Leroy Anderson

Johann Sebastian Bach

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Leonard Bernstein

Johannes Brahms

Benjamin Britten

Frédéric Chopin

Aaron Copland

Claude Debussy

Antonín Dvořák

Edward Elgar

George Gershwin

Edvard Grieg

George Handel

Joseph Haydn

Scott Joplin

Zoltán Kodály

Franz Liszt

Gustav Mahler

Wolfgang Amadus Mozart

Modest Mussorgsky

Sergei Prokofiev

Gioachino Rossini

Camille Saint-Saëns

Franz Schubert

Clara Schumann

Robert Schumann

John Philip Sousa

Johann Strauss

Igor Stravinsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Antonio Vivaldi

Richard Wagner

John Williams

The carnival is here! Students explore five carnival 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 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 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 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!

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!

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.

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!

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!