Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? With 25+ years of experience teaching in secondary schools in the UK and internationally, I am deeply passionate about music and drama education.
Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? With 25+ years of experience teaching in secondary schools in the UK and internationally, I am deeply passionate about music and drama education.
This project will work perfectly for KS3 & KS4 music classes or as a cover work project.
The idea is that students listen to different genres of ‘popular’ music, select their genre and complete a series of tasks. Students can work independently, in pairs or small groups on this task. It can be completed using a variety of different technology - depending on what you have available in your school. You can also swap, omit or add slides to meet the needs of your students and the equipment available in your classroom.
The powerpoint has 24 slides. Included are the tasks, a listening exercise with YouTube links, example band logos, example album covers and example merchandise.
The task is to be a band manager and students are to create the following:
A band name, logo and names of band members
To decide on what style or genre of popular music will be performed
What instruments the band will play
Create an album of 8 songs (covers or originals) and decide which one is going to be released as the first single
Design merchandise for selling on tour. T-Shirts, posters, cups, calendars, etc.
There are two practical extension tasks in the advice for teachers slide.
The project should last between 3 - 5 lessons depending on how many tasks you include. It links perfectly with the middle school / KS3 music curriculum Year 3 Term 1 module that is for sale on this page.
An introduction music lesson on Protest Songs - powerpoint
This resources was created for middle / high school music classes and is an introduction to protest songs. I have used the powerpoint on-line and in the classroom and it can take 2 x 45 minutes to work through the whole presentation. There are 12 slides.
The slides include the following artists and songs:
Bob Dylan - Masters of War
Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
2Pac - Changes
There are links to the recordings, a brief historical intro and a series of musical questions for each artist. Questions can be answered verbally in class or as a written task. This powerpoint could be used for a cover lesson.
It would also work as a great intro for any general music classes or choral classes looking at studying protest songs in more depth.
There are some suggested musical extension tasks at the end of the powerpoint that you could use if you wanted the lesson to be the introduction to a whole unit.
A fun introduction to Pop History! Perfect for remote or in person learning.
This is a good introduction lesson to get students thinking about different styles and genres of pop music!
Explore different genres and the decades that they originated.
Explore different artists and the decades they were most popular / make their breakthrough
Explore how technology helped develop music technology.
Link to an excellent video on Youtube for homework.
An answer sheet is included
Perfect for middle and high school students. This lesson links with the middle school music curriculum for sale on this page (Year 3, Topic 1).
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**Classical music worksheet KS3 - comparing two pieces by Mozart **
This is a great introduction lesson to the Classical composer Mozart. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on music streaming sites - Rondo alla Turca and Marriage of Figaro Overture). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a substitute / cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Mozart and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Rondo alla Turca and Marriage of Figaro Overture. These pieces are easily found on music streaming sites. Students will describe the musical features of both pieces and then look for similarities. This is a great opportunity to develop understanding of musical elements and lead into to class discussion work about the music that they are listening to.
This worksheet links with the secondary / middle school music curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page.
Instruments quiz powerpoint for KS3 and KS4 music classes
There are 50 questions focusing specifically on musical instruments that have been broken into 5 sets of 10 questions.
This gives you the option to decide whether you want to use each of the 5 sections separately as a fun starter activity or complete the whole powerpoint in one go.
Students can work individually, in pairs or in groups to answer the questions. This gives you the ability to adapt the quiz to meet your specific classroom set up.
This powerpoint can work as a sub lesson with a non-specialist as the answers are at the end of each section.
Instruments covered:
Orchestral traditional instruments
Vocal and pop music instruments
World music instruments
Pitch and stave note name development.
Note naming worksheet where every bar spells out a word.
Perfect for a starter activity, homework or cover lesson activity.
Worksheet 14 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers (8th), semiquavers (16th) and triplets.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons for sale on the page based around famous programme music that is perfect for inspiring music students in secondary school.
The powerpoint explains the concept of programme music, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the musical themes that the composer uses. Homework / extension tasks have been included.
The powerpoint can also be used as a starting point for practical work or a composition task based around this famous and much loved work. In the updated powerpoint there is now a composing task and 11 slides.
These worksheets will work perfectly with the the second in a series of lessons exploring SCALES. (power point unit is for sale separately).
Worksheets include:
Major, Minor, Pentatonic and an end of unit self-evaluation.
These resources links with the Year 2 topic 1 (Scales) of the Middle School Music Curriculum that is for sale.
Also, this lesson will work perfectly for High School students or any ensembles learning pieces based around scales.
Looking for a fun starter? Here is an instrument identification game / quiz that can be played by all ages. It also includes some non-western traditional instruments.
Can be played as individuals, pairs and small groups.
Classical music worksheet - comparing two pieces by Beethoven.
This is a great introduction lesson to the composer Beethoven. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on YouTube - 1st Mvt of Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Beethoven and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to 1st Mvt of Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise. These pieces are easily found on music streaming sites. Students will describe the musical features of both pieces and then look for similarities. This is a great opportunity to develop understanding of musical elements and lead into to class discussion work about the music that they are listening to.
This worksheet links with the Middle School Music Curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page.
This is a great general music unit exploring film music, the concept of leitmotifs and trying to compose their own short original leitmotifs.
In this power point there is an explanation of leitmotifs, reference to useful youtube links, and a step-by-step guide for students to compose 3 original leitmotifs. Students will explore how musical elements and devices are used to create iconic themes.
Normally I would use keyboards, classroom percussion, students’ own instruments and / or garage band for this task. It works perfectly well as a unit for small groups, pairs or individual work.
This composing unit would normally take between 3 - 6 lessons and I would record the final performances for assessment.
Fun Christmas musical activities - identifying songs and rhythm reading
Many of our students do not know the difference between a Christmas Carol and a Christmas song. The first activity helps students identify 20 famous song titles.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop rhythm reading? Link the song lyrics to the rhythm patterns.
Students can then use the music theory sheet to create their own rhythm patterns or Christmas lyrics in class or at home.
A perfect lesson for any music teachers working remotely or in a non-music classroom.
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KS2 and KS3 Fun Music theory worksheet Old MacDonald
Fun music theory activity based on the nursery rhyme - Old MacDonald Had a Farm.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop music theory? Need something for cover?
This fun worksheet encourages basic understanding of music theory, note naming and how to apply it to a piano / tuned percussion or their own instrument.
Students can then use the music theory sheet to play or sing Old MacDonald on an instrument of their choice either in class or at home.
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Classical music worksheet - comparing two pieces by Chopin. This is a great introduction lesson to the Romantic composer Chopin. It’s a chance to learn how to compare two contrasting pieces (easily accessible on streaming music sites - Raindrop Prelude and Minute Waltz). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Chopin and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Raindrop Prelude and Minute Waltz. These pieces are easily found on streaming music sites. Students will describe the musical features of both pieces and then look for similarities. This is a great opportunity to develop understanding of musical elements and lead to class discussion work about the music that they are listening to.
This worksheet links with the Middle School Music Curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page.
Quick Music Technology project for KS3 and KS4 music classes
This is one worksheet that comes from a series of 10. The bundle can be purchased separately on the shop page.
Each worksheet explores a different genre and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task, cover work or could even be expanded into a longer class project.
Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music.
There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical and musical context already learnt by the students.
Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project.
This task is linked to Year 3 module 1 of the middle school curriculum (Pop Music).
A great keyboard diagram slide to include in any powerpoint or google slide.
It’s also great for printing and displaying near keyboards in the classroom.