Browse lesson plans

Dino-rhythms

Students will read rhythm notations written on dinosaur shapes, discover how to play two digit number patterns, create their own rhythm patterns and play rhythms on unpitched percussion instruments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Music Education)

By Amy Snyder.

Instruments in action

Students will demonstrate mastery of eight measures of four beats by speaking, moving and playing. They will classify instruments metals, woods, scrapers, ringers, shakers, etc.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Music Education)

By Jeanne Anderson.

Music reading railroad

Students will learn to read quarter notes, rests and repeat signs using a traditional folk song.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Music Education)

By Melissa Vincent.

Rhythm beginnings

This lesson plan introduces the terms beat, steady beat, and tempo for the first day of rhythm work.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Music Education)

By Meg Anderson.

Rhythm stars

This lesson will introduce the main components of rhythm: quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Music Education)

By Laura Abernethy.

Shapely compositions

Students will compose four measures of music using shapes to denote the quarter and eighth notes. The individual compositions are combined to make a longer piece of music that students enjoy playing on rhythm instruments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Music Education)

Valentine heart game

Students will respond to music through singing, moving, playing instruments, and improvisation while integrating first grade math curriculum and Valentine's Day.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Music Education)

Women in flight: Using music to study American women pioneers in flight

As North Carolina's 97-98 Christa McAuliffe Teaching Fellow, I designed this plan to musically enhance the 5th grade social studies of American heroes, focusing on women pioneers in flight. It is intended to utilize singing and rhythmic activities to compare and contrast the lives of Amelia Earhart and Christa McAuliffe. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to successfully complete a solo trans-Atlantic flight and tragically disappeared while attempting to fly around the world in 1937. Christa McAuliffe was selected for NASA's Teacher-in-Space program and tragically died in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. I traditionally use this plan close to the January 28 anniversary of the shuttle disaster.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Music Education and Social Studies)

By Robin Smathers.

Resources on the web

First rhythmic composition

This ARTSEDGE lesson introduces students to rhythm concepts, including the names and symbols associated with music notation. Students fill in a chart that outlines names and meanings of rhythmic musical symbols. They then clap rhythm sequences and compose... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Mathematics and Music Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge