Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? I am passionate about music and drama education and have taught in secondary schools in the UK and internationally for 25 years.
Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? I am passionate about music and drama education and have taught in secondary schools in the UK and internationally for 25 years.
This is an introduction activity that celebrates Black Female Artists in Pop History.
Students pick two artists of their choice to complete some research about their lives and careers.
Students then pick a song by each artist. They are to analyse and compare the two songs and look for what both songs have in common.
This is an ideal lesson for remote learning, cover work or teaching in a non-specialist music room.
It links with the Middle School Curriculum topic 3, unit 1 (pop history) which is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education TES page.
Don’t forget to follow to get notification of new resources being published.
Classical music history worksheet - comparing two pieces by Liszt.
This is a great introduction lesson to the Romantic composer Liszt. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on YouTube - Liebestraum No. 3 and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Liszt and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Liebestraum No. 3 and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. 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.
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
Quick Film Music project for KS3 or KS4 music students
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.
A great starter activity for Christmas time. Students to identify what sacred or secular Christmas song the lyrics are from.
Students can work alone, in pairs or small groups. A great game for all ages.
This lesson plan and powerpoint teaches student about using still images as a basis for creating a performance. The stimulus is The Victorians and the story of Hansel and Gretel. Students also explore interviewing, perception, and flash backs.
Teaching notes are included on each slide.
This is the 3rd lesson in a series and focuses on devising. Students are given images of Victorian children as a focal point to create original devised work.
All teacher notes are on the power point slides.
This is a music composing challenge where students have to create an original rhythmic composition using objects that can be found around their house, school or garden. This is a fun task for students who do not have access to instruments at home and to experiment with different timbres and rhythms.
It can be set as a practical homework.
It is a great way to engage and encourage students to use different recording technology and their completed composition task can include family members both in their house or around the world.
This is a good opportunity for you to link to Stomp the Musical.
Powerpoint has been updated and includes the composing challenge, advice for students and some video links.
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 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 context already learned 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 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 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 / 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 2 module 3 of the middle school curriculum (Instrumental music).
Exploring Music Elements and Mood in Music is a great unit for introducing students to composing and creating.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons focusing on developing understanding f music elements and how they can impact moods / emotions in music. This is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explores the theme of happiness, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the music and key theory.
Students can work in groups to create their own happiness piece focusing on the musical elements. This can easily be adapted to virtual / hybrid learning.
Links with Year 1 topic 2 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
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 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 context already learned 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.
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.
Why not follow our TES page to get notifications of new products and promotions!
Fun music project - exploring the C Major Scale
This was created for music lessons being taught outside of the music room with limited access to instruments!
The activities include an introduction to the C major scale (there is an opportunity to bring listening work into this), identifying the C major scale on a keyboard and stave notation. Writing 3 simple C major scale pieces using a given rhythm and a practical homework task (which could be a class lesson) on learning to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in the key of C major.
Students could input their composition onto music software or play on virtual instruments if you have no access to classroom instruments. The practical task is also set up so students can use real instruments at home or in the classroom, sing the song, or use virtual instruments.
This unit links with Year 2, topic 1 (Scales) of the Middle School Music curriculum that is for sale on this TES page.
For more music lesson resources make sure you follow Passionate About Music Education TES page!
This is an introduction activity that celebrates Black Male artists from Pop, Jazz and Blues music history. It is perfect for KS3 music classes.
Students pick two artists of their choice to complete some research about their lives and careers.
Students then pick a song by each artist. They are to analyze and compare the two songs and look for what both songs have in common.
This is an ideal lesson for remote learning, cover work or teaching in a non-specialist music room.
It links with the Middle School Curriculum topic 3, unit 1 (pop history) which is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education TES page.
Don’t forget to follow to get notification of new resources being published.
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 learned 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 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 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 / 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.
These worksheets are designed to focus on listening, appraising and understanding of historical context. With limited access to instruments, this is a great way to encourage our students to have a life-long appreciation of musical genres and styles.
These worksheets will work perfectly for any teacher who is trying to teach students who have no or limited access to instruments at home.
Each worksheet explores different genres 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 learned 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 powerpoint is the first in a series of lessons exploring music history - 1920s!
Students will get to explore and learn the Blues and then compare it to Minimalistic music. The powerpoint has links to relevant online music recordings, facts, diagrams and allows students to explore the blues scale, chromatic scale, tone rows and composing.
The powerpoint can also be used as a starting point for practical work or a composition task based around this musical time frame.
This powerpoint links with the Year 3 topic 1 (Popular Music) of the Middle School Curriculum that is for sale. However, this lesson will work perfectly for High School students.
This is a great pitch identification game you can play with the class as a warm-up game or activity.
The powerpoint has 10 different pitches for students to identify. Students have access to a worksheet with all the pitches. It’s best if the worksheet is placed in an individual plastic wallet to make the worksheet re-usable for many classes.
Display the first pitch and count down 3,2,1 and ask students to hold up the sheet pointing to the correct answer. This way you can visually see who understands the task with the correct answer and allows you to instantly fill gaps of mis-understanding about notes on the stave.