7th Grade Music Activities

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities or music sub plans? Each page offers creative ways for students to learn more about the music of this composer! The music of Duke Ellington is featured in this Ella Fitzgerald mini activity pack! Ella was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. She is known as "The Queen of Jazz!"

Themes: USA, American composers, Women's History Month, Black History Month

What's Included:

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 the 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 - 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. The E and D Blues

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.

Welcome to MsNerdWood's Classical Music Escape Room!

Want to introduce your students to the Classical music era in a fun and engaging way? Need a supply teacher activity? I've got you covered!

Introduce your students to the elegance and refinement of the Classical music period with this engaging and interactive escape room activity! Ideal for grades 6-8, this escape room will immerse your students in the world of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven (and more) while they work together to solve challenges and unlock clues.

Key Features:

• Engaging Content: Students will explore the Classical period (1750-1830), learning about key composers, musical forms, and the cultural context of the era.
• Interactive Challenges: Includes a variety of puzzles and activities designed to reinforce knowledge while keeping students actively engaged.
• Flexible Grouping: Can be completed in pairs or small groups, making it perfect for collaborative learning.
• Minimal Setup: Easy to use with minimal preparation, making it an excellent option for regular classroom use or as a go-to activity for substitute teachers.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for introducing the Classical music period or as a review activity. It’s a great fit for music history units, general music classes, or cross-curricular lessons involving history and the arts.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Student-Centered Learning: Promotes critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way.
• Easy for Teachers: With clear instructions and all materials included, you can focus on facilitating rather than preparing.
• Great for Substitutes: The ready-to-go format ensures that substitute teachers can seamlessly continue instruction with engaging content.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Teacher’s Guide with step-by-step instructions
• Printable student worksheets and challenge cards
• Answer keys and optional extension activities included!

Bring the Classical period to life in your classroom with this escape room activity that’s sure to captivate and educate your students!

Looking for a creative way to boost social-emotional learning (SEL) in your classroom or at home? This student mixtape activity is the perfect blend of fun and self-reflection!

Craft a Personalized Playlist:

• Pick your favorite songs - the ones that spark memories, lift your mood, or simply bring pure joy.
• Dive deeper! Explore the stories behind each song - when did it resonate most with you?
• What emotions does it evoke?

Unleash Your Inner Music Guru:

• Craft your unique soundtrack - a reflection of your personality and experiences.
• This activity isn't just about the music - it's about self-expression!

The Power of Music & SEL:

• This creative journey promotes social-emotional learning by:
  • Fostering self-expression
  • Encouraging reflection
  • Celebrating the emotional connection we have with music

Ready to embark on this adventure of self-discovery? Join us and create your very own SEL mixtape today!

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Key Features:

• Concise 4-Paragraph Format: Breaks down topics into manageable sections for maximum understanding. Written at a 7th grade ESOL student level but suitable for a wide range of learners.
• Four Comprehension Questions: Encourages critical thinking and tests knowledge effectively.
• Answer Key Included: Simplifies grading and ensures accurate evaluation.
• Multi-Purpose Use: Ideal for lessons, homework, assessments, or review activities.
• Wide Topic Range: This is one assignment from a series of 10. Buy different topics to use for group projects / study guides and more.

Visit my store today for bundle deals on this series and discover other engaging, ready-to-use assignments for your classroom needs!

Creating a Movie using Microsoft Story Remix utilizes the free software from Microsoft as a part of Photos, available in Windows 10 and above. It allows students to create a movie using still pictures or video clips. You will need Windows 10 (or higher) on your computer to access and use it.

In these lessons, students are provided with links to several excellent tutorials (both print and video versions), as well as links to other resources to help them with their designs.

There are two projects included with this lesson to allow the teacher and student a choice in how to demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft Story Remix. Use one, both, or let students choose!

Resources Required

· Access to computers for each student with Internet access and Windows Version 10 or higher

Project Duration (approximate)

· Whole class overview demonstration of the basic program tools and resources for the lesson(s):

½ to 1 (50 minute) class period

· Create a Public Service Announcement using Video: 2-5 (50 minute) class periods

· Create a Music Video using Pictures: 2-5 (50 minute) class periods

Files Included with this Lesson

· Teacher Notes and Resources

· 2 Lessons for Projects with grading rubric including

o Create a Public Service Announcement using Video

o Create a Music Video using Pictures

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

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Mastering the “Call and Response” technique just got a bit more automonous! Sit back and let the music be freely created with “Call it the Response” for Orff Instruments!

In this lesson, student swill hear a “Call” which is the first part of a musical phrase. They will then play a “response” which completes the short musical phrase. Their response may be a certain number of beats or maybe a certain rhythm (could be same or different than the call)

There are 8 different exercises for your kids to give their response on Orff Instruments (or even auxiliary percussion instruments or boomwhackers, the possibilities are endless!).

Each exercise has a percussive backing track with the "Call" built in (played by marimba and xylophone, so you as the teacher aren't responsible for making it up yourself!) and varies in tempo from 100bpm to 110bpm and covers V7, Pentatonic, IV chords, and bourdon notes.

Get creative with “Call it the Response!”

End of Year "Music Talk" Activity for Chorus, Band, or Music Class

This resource features an engaging "Music Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving all in one class period during the last week of school! In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about music from famous figures like Taylor Swift and John Green and articulate why the quote aligns with their perspective on music. I use this lesson at the end of every year to see how my students' perspectives on music have developed and matured throughout the school year. This is perfect if you are looking for an engaging lesson plan during the one of the toughest weeks of the year!

Product includes:

- Comprehensive Lesson Plan

- "Music Talk" Sheet for students to fill out

- 6 Corresponding "Music Quote" signs to hang up around your room

Though I utilize this product during the last week of school, it really can be used all year long. I hope that it is as successful in your class as it is in mine!

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Nothing like catching two curriculum areas in one. This assignment will help you meet expectations in both music and language. Students are asked to analyze poetry and lyrics, both those used in class and those of their own choosing. The assignment has students looking at: * vocabulary used * structure * techniques * important words * feelings Students are also asked to consider how the poem/music is meant to be performed. They are also asked to consider the background of the poet/musician.

Engage and Inspire Your Middle School ELA Students!

Dive into the festive season with our Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis resource, exclusively designed for grades 6-8 ELA classrooms. This unique, print-and-go package on TeachShare brings the vibrant world of hip hop into your classroom, featuring iconic tracks "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC.

What's Inside:

• Comprehensive Lyrics Annotation Guide: Students will delve into the lyrics, identifying key elements like setting, rhyme scheme, imagery, connotation, and repetition.
• Figurative Language Classification: A step-by-step guide to help students classify different types of figurative language used in the songs.
• Critical Thinking through Discourse: Utilize the innovative Agree, Disagree, Modify method for stimulating classroom discussions.
• Thematic and Plot Analysis: Students will explore the themes and plot elements, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Multiple Choice Quiz: Test their understanding with a 6-question multiple-choice quiz, tailored to middle school comprehension levels.

Why Choose This Resource?

• Culturally Relevant: Connects with students using the universal language of music, particularly hip hop.
• High Engagement: Keeps students interested and involved with contemporary and relatable content.
• Rigorously Designed: Meets educational standards while challenging students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ready to Use: No prep needed, just print and you're ready to teach!

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.

Key Features:

• Concise 4-Paragraph Format: Breaks down topics into manageable sections for maximum understanding. Written at a 7th grade ESOL student level but suitable for a wide range of learners.
• Four Comprehension Questions: Encourages critical thinking and tests knowledge effectively.
• Answer Key Included: Simplifies grading and ensures accurate evaluation.
• Multi-Purpose Use: Ideal for lessons, homework, assessments, or review activities.
• Wide Topic Range: This is one assignment from a series of 10. Buy different topics to use for group projects / study guides and more.

Visit my store today for bundle deals on this series and discover other engaging, ready-to-use assignments for your classroom needs!

In this lesson, students learn interesting facts about the modern Broadway composer, Leonard Bernstein and his work, as they complete several projects including a WebQuest (Internet Scavenger Hunt) to answer questions about the topic. A complete answer key is provided for the WebQuest for easy grading, along with resources for both teachers and students. The student questions are included in both a print version and a digital (editable) version to make it easy for students to complete the lesson digitally or on paper. Then, students research their choice of one of his famous musicals and create a presentation or a video about it using their choice of Web 2.0 tools such as Adobe Creative Express (formerly Adobe Spark), eMaze, Canva, etc. (all are free, no download needed) or by using Microsoft Office or Google Apps. A full list of software/technology options is listed in the student lesson instructions and includes links to tutorials. For classrooms with limited technology, this lesson can be completed with students working in pairs or small groups. The completed presentations can be shared with the rest of the class if the teacher chooses.

This lesson is intended to be an introduction to the topic and was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in high school as well. This lesson could be used in a music, drama, history or technology class and is also a great lesson to leave for a substitute teacher!

Files included:

· Teacher & Student Resources

· Learning about Leonard Bernstein WebQuest Activity (print and
editable digital files included)

· Learning about Leonard Bernstein WebQuest Answer Key

· Musical Compositions of Leonard Bernstein Project Expectations with Rubric

Approximate Lesson Duration:

· WebQuest - 1 (50 minute) class period

· Presentation / Video Project (including research) – 2-4 (50 minute) class periods

· Optional: additional time for students to present their project to the class (time will vary depending on class size).

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

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Chord quality galore! Help your kids understand to identify Major and Minor chords in "Major Problem, Minor Adjustment"!

Students will hear 3 to 4 chords back-to-back and have to select the chord (represented by a box from left to right) they think is "minor" or "major" as indicated by the slide

Advance the slide to discover the answer!

There are 8 questions and answers in this series

Now with digital worksheet to support distance learning!

This product features an engaging back to school Music Talk activity that will have your new students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on the very first day of school. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about music and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective using a particular song to explain their opinion. Use this lesson every year to set the tone for what you expect in class; it is a great way to gain insight about your students' current attitudes toward music while getting to know one another with a higher level thinking activity. We have also recently added a digital version of the Music Talk worksheet to support distance learning and cut down on paper.

Product includes:

• Comprehensive Lesson Plan
• "Music Talk" Worksheet
• 6 Corresponding "Music Quote" signs to hang up around your room
• Digital Worksheet to support distance learning for use with Google Drive - newly added!
• Detailed instructions for accessing digital resource

Though this lesson plan is ideal for the first day of school, it can be used all year long without modification.

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Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐Music Quote Posters

⭐First Day of School Powerpoint

⭐Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Back to School / Open House Brochure

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

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!

This is a great back to school activity to get to know your students in music class: Music: Getting To Know You Questionnaire and Your Ideal Music Classroom (Back to School Activity). The questionnaire is a chance for you to get to know your students and their experiences in music. I use this for grade 6-8. The second part of this activity is for students to design their ideal music classroom. Typically I pair this activity with my Apple Curator Assignment which can be found here: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Apple-Music-Curator-Playlist-Assignment-Great-for-Back-to-School-2739247 These two activities will usually take the better part of September to complete. TIPS: 1. Be sure to leave feedback to earn your TeachShare credits! 2. If you like what you see - follow me for new products and updates (click the star by my store name MsNerdWood).

Key Features:

• Concise 4-Paragraph Format: Breaks down topics into manageable sections for maximum understanding. Written at a 7th grade ESOL student level but suitable for a wide range of learners.
• Four Comprehension Questions: Encourages critical thinking and tests knowledge effectively.
• Answer Key Included: Simplifies grading and ensures accurate evaluation.
• Multi-Purpose Use: Ideal for lessons, homework, assessments, or review activities.
• Wide Topic Range: This is one assignment from a series of 10. Buy different topics to use for group projects / study guides and more.

Visit my store today for bundle deals on this series and discover other engaging, ready-to-use assignments for your classroom needs!

In this lesson, students learn interesting facts about the history of musical instruments, as they complete several projects including a WebQuest (Internet Scavenger Hunt) to answer questions about the topic. A complete answer key is provided for the WebQuest for easy grading, along with resources for both teachers and students. The student questions are included in both a print version and a digital (editable) version to make it easy for students to complete the lesson digitally or on paper. Then, students research their choice of one instrument and create a presentation or a video about it using their choice of Web 2.0 tools such as Adobe Creative Express (formerly Adobe Spark), eMaze, Canva, etc. (all are free, no download needed) or by using Microsoft Office or Google Apps. A full list of software/technology options is listed in the student lesson instructions and includes links to tutorials. For classrooms with limited technology, this lesson can be completed with students working in pairs or small groups. The completed presentations can be shared with the rest of the class if the teacher chooses.

This lesson is intended to be an introduction to the topic and was designed for middle school (grades 6-8) but could be used in high school as well. This lesson could be used in a music, drama, history or technology class and is also a great lesson to leave for a substitute teacher!

Files included:

· Teacher & Student Resources

· History of Musical Instruments WebQuest Activity (print and
editable digital files included)

· History of Musical Instruments WebQuest Answer Key

· History of Musical Instruments Presentation Project Expectations with Rubric

Approximate Lesson Duration:

· WebQuest - 1 (50 minute) class period

· Presentation / Video Project (including research) – 2-4 (50 minute) class periods

· Optional: additional time for students to present their project to the class (time will vary depending on class size).

Remember to leave feedback for credits on future purchases!

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Connect with us for free technology tips, resources and curriculum:

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*** UPDATED: Revised the powerpoint and added Treble Clef to all slides! *** The lines and spaces of the staff have never been more competitive! A new form of a Jeopardy, the follow-up from the "Instrument Jeopardy" is NOTATION Jeopardy! An authentic jeopardy game board with categories for Treble Clef Notation Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the title slide. Students can elect to pick $200, $400, $600, $800, or $1000 answers. After clicking on the amount, the answer (a clue relating to the word) will appear on the next slide. Level 1 starts out easy with 3 to 4 letter words, but as we progress into Level 4, the words get a little more trickier -- along with the skips and steps between the lines and spaces! After the money is awarded (You can split sides of your class, boys vs girls, class vs class, however you want it!), there is a link in the bottom right hand corner to go back to the title screen and game board. Email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com or leave a comment if you have any questions. Happy Jeopardy...ing!