Free Music Activities

Classical Music History Made Easy! Composers are now better known than ever, but sometimes it can be challenging to keep up with who/what/when! Was Beethoven older than Mozart? Which iconic composers were French? German?

These guides are perfect for teachers and homeschoolers to stay organized and easily reference biographical information for composers. You'll be able to save valuable research and planning time with classical music history at-a-glance!

Would these also work as student handouts/posters?

Of course! Hand out the whole packet or include a page with your composer studies. This also introduces students to related composers from the same musical period. Additionally, students could compare geographical regions to see when and where music history was happening through the years.

How can students fully engage with these reference guides?

A great way for students to jump into music history is the included Composer Challenge! This 20-question quiz invites students to search through the guides to find the answers. Great for back-to-school and group activities!

How much information is packed into this guide?

Tons! Six full pages. You'll find 114 composers listed in chronological order from 1567 to 1937, and organized by musical period. Each composer has their birthdate, birthplace, and a popular composition listed in the guide for quick and easy referencing.

Which composers are included?

Some composers may bridge two musical periods or have a style that didn't fit neatly within their era. They are listed within the period they were born and composed in. Some earlier composers may only have a baptism date or their birthdate changed as newer calendars were introduced.

Baroque

Claudio Monteverdi, Heinrich Schütz, Francesca Caccini, Barbara Strozzi, Jean-Baptiste Lully, Arcangelo Corelli, Johann Pachelbel, Henry Purcell, Alessandro Scarlatti, Élisabeth de La Guerre, Tomaso Albinoni, Antonio Vivaldi, Georg Philipp Telemann, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Francesco Manfredini, George Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, Francesco Geminiani

Classical

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Christoph Gluck, Carl Abel, Antonio Soler, Franz Joseph Haydn, Johann Christian Bach, Michael Haydn, Marianna Martines, Joseph Bologne, Domenico Cimarosa, Antonio Salieri, Muzio Clementi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Francesca Lebrun, François Devienne, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Hummel, Louise Reichardt

Romantic

Niccolò Paganini, Carl Maria von Weber, Carl Czerny, Franz Schubert, Hector Berlioz, Johann Strauss I, Louise Farrenc, Fanny Mendelssohn, Friedrich Burgmüller, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Jacques Offenbach, Clara Schumann, Johann Strauss II

Johannes Brahms, Max Bruch, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Emmanuel Chabrier, Antonín Dvořák, Edvard Grieg, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Teresa Carreño, John Philip Sousa, Ernest Chausson, Cécile Chaminade, Ethel Smyth, Edward MacDowell, Carl August Nielsen, Jean Sibelius, Erik Satie, Enrique Granados, Amy Beach, Sergei Rachmaninoff

20th Century

Alban Berg, Edward Elgar, Frederick Delius, Claude Debussy, Scott Joplin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arnold Schoenberg, Gustav Holst, Charles Ives, Maurice Ravel, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Percy Grainger, Anton Webern, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Florence Price, Sergei Prokofiev, Germaine Tailleferre

Lili Boulanger, William Grant Still, Jr., Paul Hindemith, George Gershwin, Francis Poulenc, Aaron Copland, Undine Moore, Dmitri Shostakovich, Zenobia Powell Perry, Samuel Barber, John Cage, Margaret Bonds, Benjamin Britten, Ulysses Kay, Leonard Bernstein, George Walker, Julia Perry, John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane

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!

Need a fun back to school bingo activity for primary music? Check this out! It's what I'm going to use for part of my first lesson with my primary music classes.

Give each student a copy and be sure to read through it together as a class so that students know what things they will need to find out about their peers. Then have the students go around and find a person that satisfies each criteria. When everyone is done you can share the answers together to learn a little bit about your students. Enjoy!

Select 4 different types of music to play for students. (scary, upbeat, nature, lullaby, etc)

Students will write and draw how the music makes them feel.

This is a competitive pitch matching name in powerpoint format. The learning goal is for 2nd grade students to name pitches as fast as they can (beginner level, just the spaces!) :) We usually play this game 'around the world' style. We start off on the left side or right side of the the room and the first two people stand up and you flash a note on the screen. The student who gets the note correct gets to move onto the next child in the class while the other student sits. That student has to make their way through the entire class before being deemed champion... but they could be beat at ANY TIME! You can mix it up, left side, right side, boys/girls, etc. Kids get ultra competitive!

It's the most wonderful time of the year when you can pull out your winter-themed resources to use with your students!

This freebie set of Ornament Keyboard Flashcards is a great way to get your students into the winter spirit by having them review the keys on their keyboard

In total, there are 8 cards in the set that include the white keys, and the E-Flat key. The full set (which is coming soon) will include sets of flat names, sharp names, and both!

One side of the card features a colored ornament with a three or four-white key keyboard image. The other side features the outline of the ornament and the name of the key.

Assembly is easy! You just need to print double-sided, cut and go! You are more than welcome to print in color, or black and white to save on ink.

This product is licensed for duplication, but you may not share the resource with other teachers. You can invite them here to download their own copy so they have their own!

Your support of a small business is greatly appreciated! Your feedback is always welcome on any of our products. Thank you!

© 2023 ZS Music Publishing (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.

Have fun with this book and chant while learning about trucks! Use this to engage your students further in the book by having them chant at certain points in the book. Great for students in grades PreK-2.

REMINDERS

1. If you have any questions about this product or any of my products, feel free to email me at creatingmusicalliterature@gmail.com

2. Your purchase of this product is for SINGLE USE ONLY. Please purchase additional licenses to share with other teachers. Copyright © 2022 Creating Musical Literature. All rights reserved.

3. Leave a comment down below in order to earn TeachShare credits! I would love to hear how you and your students have been enjoying my products!

_________________________________________________________

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INSTAGRAM: @creatingmusicalliterature

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FACEBOOK: @creatingmusicalliterature

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? Preview these NEW activity sheets that feature a carnival theme! Students can color their own carnival while listening to widely-recognized classical music.

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!

Preview Listening Sheet Included:

1. Sing, Sing, Sing, as performed by Benny Goodman & orchestra (originally written with lyrics by Louis Prima)

You can view the full 20-page product here: Carnival Music

Happy Birthday!

We're excited to offer this hidden word activity page for free so you can celebrate student birthdays in your classes and lessons!

This coloring page only uses four colors to complete, and reveals HBD when finished!

There is even space on the page if you'd like to write a message to the student before giving it to them.

Please note that this is a reproducible resource, but we ask that you direct colleagues here so they can download their own copy as well.

Your support of a small business is greatly appreciated!

© 2023 ZS Music Publishing (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.

Teach the ostinato concept using the musical lullaby extension to this well loved book. I wrote a simple lullaby the children can sing at every page turn. As a follow up activity have the students match the animal sounds with the correct animal. Worksheets can be either copied or assigned digitally through the Easel function. Good for students from PreK-2nd grade.

REMINDERS

1. If you have any questions about this product or any of my products, feel free to email me at creatingmusicalliterature@gmail.com

2. Your purchase of this product is for SINGLE USE ONLY. Please purchase additional licenses to share with other teachers. Copyright © 2022 Creating Musical Literature. All rights reserved.

3. Leave a comment down below in order to earn TeachShare credits! I would love to hear how you and your students have been enjoying my products!

_________________________________________________________

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIALS!

INSTAGRAM: @creatingmusicalliterature

PINTEREST: @creatingmusicalliterature

FACEBOOK: @creatingmusicalliterature

The Winter Games official Torch Relay song for 2018 is "Let Everyone Shine." This two page listening sheet set is a wonderful way to incorporate festive sounds from the games into your Olympics lessons!

More February-inspired items:

20 Valentine's Day Listening Sheets

Valentine's Day Bulletin Board Bundle

Valentine's Day Musical Terms Flashcards

Valentine's Day Composer Flashcards

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.

► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!

Make composing and songwriting as easy as a spin!

This four-section spinner is completely blank so you can write in the choices students have when composing. Sections can be anything from notes, chords, or roman numerals.

You are welcome to make as many copies as needed for your students and classes. For durability and longevity, you are also welcome to laminate the copies and use a dry-erase marker so you can use the spinner over and over again! 

Be on the lookout for more of these spinners with dedicated spaces to use with all of your music students. If you enjoy using this resource, please be sure to give it a rating and a review!

© 2024 ZS MUSIC PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Use the lullaby written for this book to have your students practice singing and identifying the re solfege syllable. Add instruments to accompany this lullaby while they practice singing the re syllable and take turns playing the triangles and hand chimes which would go well with accompanying this song. Decode for the re syllable after you are done singing the song. Adaptable for grades PreK-2nd grade.

REMINDERS

1. If you have any questions about this product or any of my products, feel free to email me at creatingmusicalliterature@gmail.com

2. Your purchase of this product is for SINGLE USE ONLY. Please purchase additional licenses to share with other teachers. Copyright © 2022 Creating Musical Literature. All rights reserved.

3. Leave a comment down below in order to earn TeachShare credits! I would love to hear how you and your students have been enjoying my products!

_________________________________________________________

LET'S CONNECT ON SOCIALS!

INSTAGRAM: @creatingmusicalliterature

PINTEREST: @creatingmusicalliterature

FACEBOOK: @creatingmusicalliterature

No Prep Thanksgiving Literacy! These festive fall-themed reading trackers are a fun and engaging way for students to track their reading progress throughout fall, Thanksgiving, and fall break!

Each tracker features 26 seasonal images that students can color to represent each book they read or a certain amount of reading time. There is also a checkbox for choosing how much each image represents (number of books or reading period,) and a note box for writing a list of their favorite books!

Benefits:

• Motivation: Tracking progress visually can encourage students to read more and meet their reading goals.
• Engagement: The festive fall theme adds a fun and exciting element to reading.
• Learning: Students can develop essential skills like goal-setting, time management, and self-monitoring.
• Pride: Coloring in the trackers can boost students' sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
• Classroom Community: Sharing reading trackers can foster a sense of camaraderie and encourage discussions about favorite books.

Perfect for:

• Classroom use
• Homeschools
• Individual reading goals
• Fall or Thanksgiving-themed reading challenges

Includes: 3 reading trackers featuring unique fall-themed designs!

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 Drumset Composing Cards are a great addition to your resource library for classroom and private teachers alike!

This listing is our Freebie Set which includes three different sizes in both color and ink-friendly pages!

Cards included in the Freebie Set are the small versions which are 16 cards to a page (2 cards per instrument!)

Colors on the cards line up with our ROCK'N'ROLLIN' DRUMSET METHOD that you can use along with the books for students to write their own beats to put into the books!

Instruments included in this set of cards are:

• Bass Drum (BD)
• Low Tom (LT)
• Snare Drum (SD)
• Mid/Medium Tom (MT)
• High Tom (HT)
• Ride Cymbal (RC)
• Hi-Hats (HH)
• Crash Cymbal (CC)

In total, there are 2 pages of cards in the set! So what can you use the composing cards for? Things like...

• Letting students create their own beats and grooves
• Creating well-known patterns for students to play and figure out
• Flashcards to quiz students on instrument names
• ...and so much more!

These Composing Cards ARE a reproducible resource, but you may not share these with colleagues as only the original purchaser has the rights to duplicate the resource.

Your support of a small business is greatly appreciated! Happy Teaching!

-Zach Seckman

Catalog: DPM-DCCS-DG

© 2023 ZS Music Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Unwrap the Magic of the Nutcracker! Are you ready to transform your classroom into a winter wonderland? Our Nutcracker Teaching Guide is your ultimate guide to bringing the magic of this beloved ballet to life! Whether you've been teaching The Nutcracker for years or just starting your Nutcracker journey with students, this comprehensive resource is packed full of helpful reference points.

Brand new to The Nutcracker? These reference pages will give you the information you need to confidently share this Christmas classic with students in your classroom or homeschool! We've included three pages of reference for characters, settings, and dancers - and also a page of answers to common questions your students may have.

Dive deep into the enchanting world of the Nutcracker with:

• Character Close-Ups: Get to know Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and more with detailed character profiles.
• Scene-Stealing Settings: Explore the magical Land of Sweets, the Stahlbaum's home at Christmas, and other captivating locations.
• Dance Delights: Uncover the secrets of the Waltz of the Snowflakes, the Arabian Dance, and other iconic performances.
• Question and Answer Corner: Find quick answers to common Nutcracker queries and spark engaging classroom discussions.

With the Nutcracker Teaching Guide, you'll have a treasure trove of information at your fingertips. Use it to introduce the ballet to students or deepen their understanding and connection to this timeless connection. We hope this resource helps you create magical and unforgettable Nutcracker experiences!

❄️ You're invited to the Winter Wonderland category! ❄️ Do you want to create lots of festive winter memories with your students this year? You'll find a growing collection of seasonal printables like music, writing, and fun activities for your classroom or homeschool in one shop section - and we're always adding more!

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!

Just in time for St. Patricks Day, this themed matching game allows your little piano stars to match basic terms and symbols on a rainbow! Students will match the term in the cloud (on the left side) with the symbol on the rainbow (on the right side). Correct matches will show the rainbow connecting the term with the symbol.

There are 4 cards per sheet, but the sheet should be printed whole. Printing instructions are included in the file.

"Dear Basketball" is an Academy Award-winning short film, written and narrated by Kobe Bryant. This five-minute animated film is available on YouTube. Music by John Williams.

Printable Listening Sheets Include:

"Dear Basketball" - music by John Williams

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.

More John Williams Music Resources

John Williams Bundle! Listening Sheets, Popcorn Party Match, and more!

John Williams Carnival Music Listening Sheets! Summer Fun, February

John Williams Composer Activities, February, Classical Music

John Williams Composer Listening Activities, February

John Williams Popcorn Party Listening Activities, February

Halloween Spooky Wizards, Magical October Classical Music, John Williams

Popcorn Party Bundle! John Williams Listening Activities & Music Note Matching

Sports Story, Classical Music Listening Sheets, John Williams, Richard Wagner

► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!

It's the most wonderful time of the year when you can pull out your winter-themed resources to use with your students!

This freebie set of Notes on the StaffOrnament Flashcards is a great way to get your students into the winter spirit by having them review the notes in Middle C Position

In total, there are 12 cards in the set that range from Bass F to Treble G, including Bass B-Flat and Treble F-Sharp. The full set (which is coming soon) will have one-octave sets as low as Low C all the way up to High C.

One side of the card features a colored ornament with a note on the Bass Clef or Treble Clef staff. The other side features the outline of the ornament and the name of the note.

Assembly is easy! You just need to print double-sided, cut and go! You are more than welcome to print in color, or black and white to save on ink.

This product is licensed for duplication, but you may not share the resource with other teachers. You can invite them here to download their own copy so they have their own!

Your support of a small business is greatly appreciated! Your feedback is always welcome on any of our products. Thank you!

© 2023 ZS Music Publishing (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.

No Prep! Do you need a handout/listening guide for Vivaldi's [Uncertain] Four Seasons performance on November 5th? This two-page pack provides spaces for each orchestra's performance. There are boxes for Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter for students to make listening notes, draw, or journal. Students can note the variations between each movement and performance!

★ More Antonio Vivaldi!

The Four Seasons, Vivaldi, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Classical Music

Antonio Vivaldi "La Stravaganza" Composer Listening Activities, March, Italy

Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" Word Search, Classical Music Activities

Antonio Vivaldi Classical Music Activities, March, Baroque, Violin

Antonio Vivaldi Bundle! Four Seasons, Word Search, Composer Pack + More!

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!

Who doesn't like a good freebie?!

From a new resource line we're creating, you can try out this COLOR BY FINGER NUMBER Freebie with your students this summer, or any time of year!

Using the traditional Piano Fingering numbers, students will color in the squares on the page to reveal a Bright, Shining Sun!

This particular resource requires students to use Red, Orange, Yellow, and Blue. You can see in the pictures what the sun will look like when completed.

Included in the resource is a full-color page so you can check student's progress.

If you like this resource, we would LOVE your feedback so please be sure to come back and give the resource a review and a rating so we can make future freebies even better for you!

And if you have colleagues who like the resource, be sure to send them here so they can download their own license of the resource!

Your support of a small business is appreciated!

© 2024 ZS Music Publishing. All Rights Reserved.