As the New Year approaches, many students are getting excited for the fresh start it brings. They may make resolutions, set goals, and reflect on the past year. For some students, this time of year is also for celebrating their accomplishments. New Year-themed classical music can be the perfect way to set the tone for reflection and celebration!
Music Appreciation Made Easy!
Do you need engaging print-and-go activities and brain breaks? The music featured in this activity packet is carefully curated and previewed - saving you hours of planning time. Just print and cue the music! The selections are available on YouTube or your favorite streaming service. There are no wrong answers, and no musical training is required, so add a few to your sub plans, too!
Learning Objectives
Social-Emotional Learning
Listening to classical music has been shown to help with self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. Since social-emotional learning is essential for children, incorporating classical music into your classroom or homeschool is a great way to support their development.
Talk about the emotions evoked by the selected music. What does the music make them feel? Happy? Sad? Anxious? Peaceful? Help students identify and label their emotions. Ask open-ended questions about the music and encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings.
Discuss the different instruments used in the piece of music. What does each instrument contribute to the overall sound? Encourage students to make up a story based on the music. What is happening in the story? Who are the characters? Where does it take place?
While listening, students can draw a picture or scene that comes to mind. What colors are used? What shapes? Why?
January Listening Sheets
Fantasia on Auld Lang Syne, Ernest Tomlinson
Masquerade Suite, Aram Khachaturian
The Blue Danube, Johann Strauss
The Skater's Waltz, Émile Waldteufel
Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major, Joseph Haydn
Concerto Grosso in C Major, Arcangelo Corelli
Piano Concerto in G Major, Maurice Ravel
Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity, Gustav Holst
Symphony No. 1 (Winter Dreams,) Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Waltz in D, Op. 9, No. 3, Franz Schubert
Suite De Symphonies, No. 1, Jean-Joseph Mouret
Brandenburg Concerto, No. 4 in G Major, Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach
What's Included
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.
Carnival Coloring - 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!
Listen and Color - While listening, students color the scene and choose the keywords/elements that resonate with their listening experience. There is lots of room for drawing, coloring, and journaling in the box! Students often engage in discussions about what they've heard or felt. Great for displaying!
Easel Activity
Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose from keyword lists that describe their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.
January Checkboxes Classical Music Fun [from the Classical Journey Bundle]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just Print and Play! Do you need engaging Winter/January/New Year activities or music sub plans? These printable listening sheets offer creative ways for students to learn more about the season of snowflakes and new beginnings! Also great for music sub plans or brain breaks!
What's Included:
Emoji Rating Guide (14 emojis to choose from, color and b&w)
Listening Sheets - there are no wrong answers! Students can use the checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more!
★ Easel Activity ★ Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose from keyword lists that describe their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.
Printable Listening Sheet Sets Include:
Checkbox options:
Time, nature, settings, instruments, colors, and more! Students can also color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid.
The 'Inspiration Box' can be used for:
Drawing/doodling, journaling, notes, poetry, etc.
January Fairy Tale Classical Music Fun [from the Classical Journey Bundle]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just print and play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? Classical Fairy Tale listening sheets combine music appreciation with a storybook theme! Students compose their wondrous tale by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!
What's Included:
★ Easel Activity ★ Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose from keyword lists that describe their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.
★ January Listening Sheets Include: (two pages per piece:)
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!
January Space Story Classical Music Fun [from the Classical Journey Bundle]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just print and play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? Classical Space Tale 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’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!
What's Included:
★ Easel Activity ★ Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose from keyword lists that describe their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.
Featured Compositions:
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!
January Fantasia on Auld Lang Syne [from the Classical Journey Bundle]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Do you need engaging brain breaks? This single-page listening activity is great for celebrating the New Year or for adding to your January sub plans. Just print and play! The music is available on YouTube or your favorite streaming services.
While listening, students color the scene and choose the keywords/elements that resonate with their listening experience. There are also blank lines for writing in additional keywords. Students often engage in discussions about what they've heard or felt. Great for displaying!
Featured Music
Fantasia on Auld Lang Syne - Ernest Tomlinson
Learning Objectives
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!