July Classical Music Activities Bundle with Digital Resources
by Agee and Row Classical Music AppreciationJuly represents the American summer - fireworks, cookouts, and parades! Students engage in active listening through a journey of American-inspired classical music.
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You'll have everything you need for a month of classical music appreciation with 100+ listening activities in this activity vault. You will also receive periodic updates for this resource for free! Keep an eye on your "My Purchases" tab for update notifications.
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
- increased knowledge of composers from different backgrounds
- observe seasonal/holiday influences within a composition
- familiarity with the composer's works
- ability to recognize, and engage with, popular 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
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?
July Listening Sheets
- Hail to the Chief, Sanderson
- Lincoln Portrait, Copland
- Presidential Polonaise, Sousa
- Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin
- Easter Monday on the White House Lawn, Sousa
- The Star-Spangled Banner, Smith
- The Stars and Stripes Forever, Sousa
- The Invincible Eagle March
- President's March, Filmore
- America the Beautiful, Ward
- Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland
- Variations on "America," Charles Ives
- Afro-American Symphony, William Grant Still
- The American Frontier, Calvin Custer
- Grand Canyon Suite, Ferde Grofe
- Strike Up the Band, George Gershwin
- Simple Gifts, Aaron Copland
- American Salute, Morton Gould
- The Liberty Bell, John Philip Sousa
- The Washington Post, John Philip Sousa
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.
July Space Story - 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!
July Fairy Tale - Classical Fairy Tale 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’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!
July 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 the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more! 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 Invincible Eagle March - Do you need engaging brain breaks? This single-page listening activity is great for celebrating Independence Day, or for adding to your July sub plans. Just print and play! The music is available on YouTube or your favorite streaming services.
July Mindful Listening (en Español) From January to December, the monthly listening sets are now available in Spanish! Este conjunto de hojas de escucha está inspirado por los diversos días festivos estatales que conmemoran el cumpleaños de George Washington, Abraham Lincoln y Thomas Jefferson – ¡así como el 4 de julio y otras ocasiones con temas Americanos!
July Space Story Classical Music Activities [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!
★ 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.
What's Included:
- Story Guide – an illustrated chart with each character/object
- 10 Space Tale Listening Sheets
- 10 Space Tale Drawing Pages
Featured Compositions:
- Hail to the Chief, Sanderson
- Lincoln Portrait, Copland
- Presidential Polonaise, Sousa
- Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin
- Easter Monday on the White House Lawn, Sousa
- The Star-Spangled Banner, Smith
- The Stars and Stripes Forever, Sousa
- The Invincible Eagle March
- President's March, Filmore
- America the Beautiful, Ward
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!
July Fairy Tale Classical Music Activities [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!
★ 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.
What's Included:
- Story Guide – an illustrated chart with each character/object
- 10 Fairy Tale Listening Sheets
- 10 Fairy Tale Drawing Pages
★ July Listening Sheets Include: (two pages per piece:)
- Hail to the Chief, Sanderson
- Lincoln Portrait, Copland
- Presidential Polonaise, Sousa
- Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin
- Easter Monday on the White House Lawn, Sousa
- The Star-Spangled Banner, Smith
- The Stars and Stripes Forever, Sousa
- The Invincible Eagle March
- President's March, Filmore
- America the Beautiful, Ward
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!
July John Philip Sousa Classical Music Fun [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 Independence Day, or for adding to your July 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
The Invincible Eagle March - John Philip Sousa
Learning Objectives
- increased knowledge of the composition
- familiarity with the composer's works
- ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
- identify different instrument sounds
- social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
- creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme
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!
July Checkboxes Classical Music Activities [from the Classical Journey Bundle]
By Agee and Row Classical Music Appreciation
Just Print and Play! This set of listening sheets is inspired by the various state holidays that commemorate the birthday of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson - and also as a 4th of July and other American-themed occasions! Also great for music sub plans or brain breaks!
★ 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.
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!
Printable Listening Sheet Sets Include:
- Hail to the Chief, Sanderson
- Lincoln Portrait, Copland
- Presidential Polonaise, Sousa
- Maple Leaf Rag, Joplin
- Easter Monday on the White House Lawn, Sousa
- The Star Spangled Banner, Smith
- The Stars and Stripes Forever, Sousa
- The Invincible Eagle March
- President's March, Filmore
- America the Beautiful, Ward
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.
► 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!