Less than $5 Middle School Music Activities (by date, oldest first)

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).

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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).

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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

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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.

In "DRUMITY", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands and triplets

The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher)

At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?

• Have shakers play 16th notes all the way throughout or in specific sections
• Have half the class play 1st and 3rd measures, the other half play 2nd and 4th measures
• Do it in a round! :)

Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!

Have a terrific time with this one :)

The NFL season is BACK! Your older grade level kids will love RED ZONE

RHYTHMS!

Students will see an NFL team and their corresponding mascot and the students will have to spell out the team and mascot combo with that's right... RHYTHM!

The students will have to decipher the rhythmic syllables using triplets, eighth note pairs, and quarter notes. The rhythm will be shown on the animation on the next slide.

• You can either have the students notate it out on whiteboards...
• make rhythm cards or tiles
• have them write it on the board
• make it a race between A team vs B team to spell it out
• or however you can imagine!

There are 14 teams with 14 unique rhythms that the students will have to decipher. Here comes the kickoff!

Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you the Michael Buble's smash hit, "Christmas (Baby, please come home)" for BUCKET DRUMMING!

There are four 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. 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)

NOTE: Remember, all paired eighth notes are swung and there are also a few triplet patterns in here as well to get those alternating hands going!

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

https://youtu.be/mBycW6iu8GM

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

In "Zimbab all the Wae", introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos (along with tambourines), learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C], and so forth). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands and adding different timbres in with the tambourine

Included is the key for tubano and tambourine notation

At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?

• Have shakers play 16th notes all the way throughout or in specific sections
• Have half the class play 1st and 3rd measures, the other half play 2nd and 4th measures
• Do it in a round! :)

Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!

Have a terrific time with this one :)

Wanna get your Orff Ensemble moving and grooving but don't know where to start? Get percussive with an original composition named "Birds of a Feather" for Soprano, Alto, and Bass Xylophone/Metallophones!

This Orff Ensemble orchestration provides parts for Soprano, Alto, and Bass Xylophone/Metallophone All parts work together and you can perform the arrangement with all or just some of the parts.

You are free to dissect melodies and harmonies to what you wish, or play right from the beginning to the end. There are 3 four-measure sections to teach your kids (by rote), and you can arrange and label these sections ("A" at measure 1, "B" at measure 5, and "C" and measure 9) in any form you want. ABACA. ABABCAB. AABBCC, etc!

Included are:

• Part for Soprano

• Part for Alto

• Part for Bass

What's it sound like? Check out the preview and see if it's a good fit!

With “Rhythms Around the Horn”, students will see four rhythm squares on the powerpoint (or PDF), all of them containing different rhythms.

For starters, have the entire class perform rhythm 1 (with instruments, vocalizing, clapping, patting, etc), then rhythm 2, then 3, and then finally 4.

After students understand the rhythms, then you can have the rhythms all be performed several different ways...

• Assign an instrument to each number and have them repeat their rhythm
• Example: #1 will be shakers, #2 will be tambourines, #3 will be hand drums, #4 will be guiros
• Example: #1 will be bass xylo, #2 will be soprano xylo, #3 will be alto xylo, #4 will be glockenspiel
• Example: #1 will be C and D boomwhackers, #2 will be E and F boomwhackers, #3 will be G and A boomwhackers, #4 will be B boomwhacker
• Assign an instrument to each number and have them rotate throughout the numbers (1, 2, 3, 4)
• Assign an instrument to each number and have them repeat the rhythm 2 times, 4 times (or however long you wish) and move to the next number to do the same thing
• Assign all instruments to start at the beginning, but at different times (a canon or a round).
• Example: Instrument 1 will play #1 first, then #2 consecutively, then the second instruments begin on #1 when the first are on #2, and so forth
• Go backwards, 4, 3, 2, 1
• Or maybe a free for all – have students pick their favorite number and repeat

There are 4 levels of rhythms all with increasing difficulty

• Quarters and Eighths
• Half Notes
• Eighth Note Rests
• Triplets

Have a great time with this!

In "Walk it Out, introduce your kids to some great music from indigenous instruments from Africa! Using your classroom Djembe or Tubanos, learn the music by rote by taking it one rehearsal section at a time (with rehearsal markings [A], [B], [C],). This is terrific practice with your older students who want to work on alternating hands with some syncopated rhythms

The notation on the first space F is a bass (middle of the drum) and the notation on the third space C is a tone (four fingers near the rim of the drum, pitched a bit higher). There are a few measures with a clap that's indicated on a top line F

At the end, wrap it up and put on a show! Want to layer it?

• Have tambourines or shakers play on specified beats (try 2 and 4)
• Have shakers play 16th notes all the way throughout or in specific sections
• Have half the class play 1st and 3rd measures, the other half play 2nd and 4th measures
• Do it in a round! :)

Use this in class, a concert, a parent showcase, admin, faculty and staff, whatever you wish!

(Remember the repeat in the beginning :D)

Have a terrific time with this one :)

With "Meter Reader", students will see a 4/4, 3/4, or 2/4 meter with typical rhythms inside the measure.

There will be an empty box within the measure and students will have to figure out which corresponding rhythm completes the measure.

There are 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4 examples with quarter, whole, eighth and half note rhythms and rest patterns and also dotted quarter and half note rhythms.

There are multiple ways of assessment -- play as a class, individually, or team against team!

Have a great time with this!

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9.9.22 to 9.18.22!

Inspired from the MyRhythm App, here's a fun game you can play with some of your older kids to help reinforce rhythms, independence, steady beat, and more!
In Rhythm Latitudes, students will see two rectangles stacked on top of each other. In each rectangle (now known as a beat), there are two circles inside (denoted as eighth notes).
Top Rectangle

· If the first circle is illuminated green on the top rectangle, the students will play using their LEFT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap
· If two circles are illuminated green on the top rectangle, the students will play using their LEFT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap like two eighth notes

Bottom Rectangle

· If the first circle is illuminated green on the bottom rectangle, the students will play using their RIGHT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap
· If two circles are illuminated green on the bottom rectangle, the students will play using their RIGHT HAND either an instrument (maybe a tambourine, drum, rhythm stick, whatever you wish) or their hand to pat their lap like two eighth notes

You will receive 4 levels of mastery with this (4 beats, 6 beats, offbeats, and rests) and accompanying mp3 groove background tracks (or you can play it with some of your favorite pop music).
Procedure:

· Teach the first pages of Left Hand rhythms on top, Right Hand rhythms on bottom
· Review included practice rhythms
· Then count off the kids and go!
· If they master it, move onto the next slide until completed (or until time runs out)

TREBLE CLEF FOUR CORNERS!

· To play Four Corners, ensure all students understand the lines and spaces of the staff (bottom line E to top line F).

· Number each side of the room 1, 2, 3, and 4 (or alternatively, color code it green, blue, red, or purple with floor tape)

· They will hear a 9 second timer. Students will have a chance to walk to one of four corners and stay there for the duration of the round.

· On the next slide, the treble clef notation will appear in each corner and you will see a letter name from the Treble Clef Staff

· The students will have to guess which treble clef notation it is by showing it with their fingers (1, 2, 3, or 4)

· The teacher then reveals to the students which treble clef note it was (#1, #2, #3 or #4) and the students who are in that corner are OUT!

· Keep repeating until no kids are left!

Included are 12 examples (you can switch it up each time and do different notation each time), the 9 second timer embedded in the powerpoint file, and instructions

Cup rhythms are terrific for your students of all ages! Inexpensive plastic cups from the dollar store, Target, or others make excellent substitutes for percussion instruments and in unison played together, solidifies steady beat, rhythm acuity, and gets everyone playing as an ensemble!

In this arrangement of everyone's favorite (and yours!) Don't Stop Believin', from Journey, students will read each corresponding colored section along with the form identifier for the amount of times played.

Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats. Then, apply it your class set of cups (to be done on the ground, in their seat, or however)!

Notation is as follows:

• CUP WITH ARROW - to be played by striking the cup (upside down) on the floor
• CUP WITH HAND - to be played with cup on the floor and patting the top of the cup
• CLAP - hands clap once
• QUARTER REST - one beat rest
• HALF REST - two beats rest

Any notation that is smaller in groups of 2 are played as two eighth notes

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

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

Need to connect with your kids with your hits (and have your cake and eat it too?) Involve them in bucket drumming with the classic hit from the 2002 smash movie "Top Gun: Maverick" in "I Ain't Worried" by OneRepublic!

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 in groups of 3 times and 1 time)

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://youtu.be/mNEUkkoUoIA

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!

Down, Set, HUT!

In Bar Line Blitz, student will see a meter with several beats of music – except the bar lines are missing to separate the measures from each other!

They will will see 2 or more line placeholders (small grey lines) in between notes. One of the placeholders is where the bar line should go… but which one is it?

Identify where the bar line should be placed and the correct area will illuminate
green if it is accurate!

Play team vs team, A vs B, or individually... and enhance it by playing some fun football music in the background (search NFL themes or college football fight songs on YouTube) ;)

There are 4 levels (4 quarters if you wish) of varying difficulties. The last quarter, they students will need to identify where it should be placed without any small grey lined hashmarks

Have a great time with this one!

Need to connect with your kids with clean music that is sure to hit all of your percussive goals? Involve them in bucket drumming with the smash tune from "The Jungle Book" in "I Wanna Be Like You", covered by Fall Out Boy!

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 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=XEcOZf4Nb5M

• Note: This arrangement is in cut time, so it FLIES! May want to reduce the speed on YouTube when playing along, or work your way up to it! :)

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!

Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with the rousing hit that'll get everyone dancing in Gloria Estefan's hit from the 80s (we all know and love) "Conga"!

There are four 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 2, 3, or 4 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=8gXj8Gcp31w

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!

Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with a throwback to the 1960s with The BEATLES smash hit "Hey Jude"!

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 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://youtu.be/7qMls5yxP1w

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!