Browse lesson plans

Shakin' and eggs

In BioMusic, page 1.2

In this integrated lesson, students learn about the different kinds of animals that hatch from eggs. As they explore the properties of eggs, they will also develop their understanding of sound by conducting an experiment with “sound eggs” and using musical terminology to describe their findings.

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

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

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)

Sound properties and careers in music

In CareerStart lessons: Grade six, page 3.8

This lesson for grade six uses a hands-on lab to help students understand key concepts in the properties of sound, and how they can be applied to careers in music.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Music Education and Science)

By April Galloway and Christine Scott.Edited by Julie McCann.

Sounds all around

In BioMusic, page 1.1

In this integrated music and science lesson, students predict what sounds they would expect to hear in a particular habitat or under certain weather conditions. While listening to various soundscapes in groups, students record describing words in their science notebooks and then use pantomime to describe the origins of sounds. A concluding discussion focuses on natural and man-made sounds.

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

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Spirituals and the power of music in slave narratives

In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of music in the lives of slaves by reading slave narratives and listening to recordings.

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

By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.

Squawking is talking

In BioMusic, page 1.3

In this lesson, students compare bird song with human song. After a brief overview of how humans and birds make sound, they will begin to consider how both learn to sing and focus on particular aspects of their songs. To end the lesson, students craft Bird Calling Cups to make their own bird calls.

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

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Student composers with Music Ace!

Students will use the Doodle Pad (TM) component of Music Ace (TM) to create short compositions. Preparation will include some brief rules to allow success for young composers.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Music Education)

By Leslie Cothern.

Telephone numbers of the stars

Students will read number notation, use cooperative learning, develop coordination skills and put musical phrases together by playing the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on xylophones.

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

By Patricia H. Taylor.

Undersea exploration

Students explore the lifeforms and land formations under the ocean. The three ocean levels and their respective lifeforms are investigated and discussed, focusing on shape, form, and color. Students will gain a better understanding of the connections between the science and arts curriculum.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Visual Arts Education, Dance Arts Education, and Music Education)

By Russ Johnson.

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)

What are some careers in biomusicology?

In BioMusic, page 2.11

By gathering information in books, from interviews, and on the Internet, learners will identify several career possibilities in the field of biomusicology research.

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

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

What are the reasons animals use sounds?

In BioMusic, page 2.9

Crows are fascinating creatures. In this lesson, students will explore their complex communication and behavior. They will make connections between the crow's method of counter-singing with the call and response style of singing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 Music Education)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

What key am I in anyway?

Students will acquire the steps necessary to determine the names of major key signatures.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Music Education)

By David Jordan.

What sounds do whales use to communicate?

In BioMusic, page 2.8

In this lesson, students will listen to whale sounds. They will identify the difference between a whale song and a whale call. While using appropriate music terminology, students will also compare the similarities between whale song and human song.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 Music Education)

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Wild and wacky warm-ups

The lesson describes choral music warm-ups for improving singing posture, breath control, vowel placement, and rhythmic reading skills. Basic sight reading skills are reviewed and reinforced to enhance independent musicianship.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Music Education)

By Georgia Stephens.

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.

World music

In BioMusic, page 1.5

In this lesson, students will understand that birds of the same family can have different songs. While listening to four different thrush songs, they will also learn to read a sound spectrogram and compare it with sheet music.

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

By Debra Hall and Crystal Patillo.

Resources on the web

Africa for Kids

An interactive website that uses images, audio, and fun activities where kids can listen to songs, make masks, and more to learn about African culture. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS Kids

American Masters

From children's book authors to jazz greats, this series presents the biographies of America's great creative talent. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: PBS

ArtsEdge

Linking the Arts and Education through Technology: ARTSEDGE provides resources and exemplars for teachers to teach in, through, and about the arts. The site includes lesson plans, advocacy and professional development resources, and up-to-date information... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: ArtsEdge, The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.