Elements of Music Scavenger Hunt Music Game

If you are looking for a creative way to introduce the elements of music, this printable scavenger hunt activity is ready to go! Using reading passages, questions and code words, your students will be actively involved in their learning as they move around the room to complete the task.

What’s included?
10 Short Reading Passages
10 Questions
Student Answer Sheet
Student Directions
Teacher Directions
Teacher Answer Key

Tell me more!
Your students can work alone or in groups to solve clues, following a fun storyline about a musical laboratory, where the elements of music are mixed to make compositions. Students move around the room, reading 10 passages of information as they search for the clues to solve the mystery word and code required to finish the scavenger hunt. They will love the friendly competition of trying to be the first to complete the mystery! The reading passages have been carefully written for around age 10-12 reading level.

Each reading card focuses on one element (Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Tempo, Time Signatures, Texture, Structure, Style, Timbre, Dynamics). You can hang the cards on the wall, hide them, scatter them on the floor: How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.

Students will revisit each card text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room seeking text evidence. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in the reading passages. No prior knowledge is needed.

Save time! This activity is ready to print and go - set up time is minimal. No prior knowledge is required so it can be an exciting way to introduce the elements of music as a topic. It can even be used with a sub! No technology, instruments or specialist knowledge is needed. And it can be done in any classroom or space without any technology!

Check out similar products: a scavenger hunt related to the instruments of the orchestra, another focusing on musical periods - or buy them all in a discounted bundle!

For teachers in Scotland, the elements match the SQA headings of Understanding Music/listening concepts. However, this game has been designed so that the information very broad and general, and is not specific to any particular curriculum so can be used by anyone!