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.
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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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.
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Fun music theory activity based on the lullaby - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop music theory whilst working remotely or away from your classroom?
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 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on an instrument of their choice either in class or at home.
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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.
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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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Rhythm Reading Bundle for KS3 & KS4 Music classes
Book 1 & 2 Teacher Guides
Book 1 & 2 Student Guides
Worksheet 1 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 2 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms
Worksheet 3 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms
Worksheet 4 - 2/4 time signature. Triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 5 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers
Worksheet 6 - 9/8 time signature. Quaver rests
Worksheet 7 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers, quaver rests
Worksheet 8 - 5/4 time signature. Irregular time signature
Worksheet 9 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 10 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns and ties.
Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms
Worksheet 13 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers
Worksheet 15 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 16 - 3/4 time signature. Quaver rests and semiquavers
Worksheet 17 - 5/8 time signature. Irregular time signature
Worksheet 18 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, quaver and crothet rests
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Ties, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns, rests and ties.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. 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 booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 and KS4 music classes
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th) and rests.
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.
Book 3 Student Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 school music classrooms
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
I have created a STUDENT FRIENDLY BOOK for printing that accompanies the teacher handbook which is also for sale on the site.
Worksheet 21 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 22 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 23 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests
Worksheet 24 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests
Worksheet 25 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 26 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 27 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers
Worksheet 28 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Worksheet 30 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Worksheet 24 - 3/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 school music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 24 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 25 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 25 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 21 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 21 - 4/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 22 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 22 - 4/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 23 - 3/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 23 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 26 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 26 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 30 - 6/8 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 30 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers (16th notes).
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers (16th notes).
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 27 - 2/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 27 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th notes) and triplets.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Worksheet 28 - 2/4 Rhythm Reading for KS3 & KS4 music
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 28 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, semiquavers (16th notes) and triplets.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each pattern has a 3 bar rhythm with a 4th bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
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 3 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.
Book 4 Teacher Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 school music classrooms
This booklet is full of great rhythm exercises to challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All 10 exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
Worksheet 31 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 32 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 33 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 34 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 35 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 36 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 37 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 38 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 39 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 40 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line…
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Sight-reading for beginner CLARINET Exercise 4
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young clarinetists.
This sight-reading exercise will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
Worksheet 4 - 2/4 time signature in the key of D major. Simple beat values and uses Low G - to A.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines of melody. Each of the melodic patterns consist of 3 bars and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-reading assessments.
