Many parents wonder how to include music in their day, especially when children are very young – too young to get much out of playing an instrument or group music-making such as singing in a choir. With young families in mind (though teachers could also easily use these resources in a classroom or daycare setting!), we have put together a collection of short music compilations, found for free on Youtube (link included in file). Each one is themed according to style, country, genre, and/or mood, with a simple title such as ‘Moon’. Just pick a title that strikes your imagination (such as ‘Cake’ or ‘Together’) and listen! Each file is no more than 12 minutes long. The selections include a wide variety of performances. You may listen to them in any order, and at any time during the day. Just take a moment to ‘pause and play!’ Please see the file for further suggestions for how to make the most of this ‘music appreciation’ resource. NOTE: New selections will be added regularly!

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Floating’, featuring a song (‘Undertow’) by Lisa Hannigan and a Lied (song) by Franz Schubert (Du Bist die Ruh) performed by Bryn Terfel. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Spooks’, featuring the Variations on an Original Theme in c minor by Beethoven. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Spirals’, featuring three pieces of classical music: Duet for Two Solo Violins and String Orchestra, by Steve Reich; Cello Suite No. 1 (Prelude) by J. S. Bach performed by Mischa Maisky; Missa Virie Galilaei (Agnus Dei II) by Palestrina. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Birds’, featuring the first movement of the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp K 299. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Jiggles’, which contains two pieces featuring the double bass. The first piece is called ‘Pickles’ and is performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Marc O’Connor. The second is called ‘Running’, written and performed by Adam Ben Ezra. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Running’, featuring a concerto movement by Brescianello and a piano sonata by Scarlatti. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Journey’, featuring an Indian children’s song about a Train, a modern piece of music for sitar (and other instruments) performed by Anoushka Shankar, and a short selection for tabla and voice. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Dinner’, featuring two jazz tracks by Paul Desmond: Take Five and Unknown. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Together’, featuring a solo singer (with drum and rattle), a Cree Round Dance, and a group of Mohawk Women (The Sweetgrass Singers). ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Wood’, featuring an Acadian mouth-reeling song, an Acadian folk melody with wooden flute, and a fiddle tune with stomping feet (and other instruments). ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Summer’, featuring three pieces of ‘Early Music’. First is a song with instrumental accompaniment (Sumer is icumen in), second is a solo piece for viol (Estampie) and last is a madrigal (for several voices). ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Moon’, featuring performance by a Chinese erhu and orchestra, and a Chinese song entitled ‘The Moon Represents My Heart’ sung by Teresa Teng. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Cake’, featuring two pieces of music by Brahms. The first is a short Hungarian Dance, the second is a German song (Lied). ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Stars & Sun’, featuring two folk songs: ‘Underneath The Stars’ by Kate Rusby, and ‘Beautiful Dawn’ by The Wailin’ Jennies. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Water’, featuring two pieces of classical instrumental music: ‘Freedom’ for harp, and ‘The Sea in Spring’ for guitar and flute. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘1-2-3-4!’, featuring three short pieces of classical music: Mandolin Concerto (1st movement) by Vivaldi, Recitative from ‘Der Frühling’ by Haydn, and Aria from ‘Der Frühling’ by Haydn. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Autumn Leaves’, featuring two pieces of Chinese music: ‘Sky Road’ by Peng Li Yuan, and ‘Chinese Ancient Music’ performed on an unidentified plucked string instrument. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Here is a mini-lesson plan to go with the free music file: Pause & Play ‘Ribbons’, featuring three pieces of music: Russian Baroque Music, first selection, composer unknown, Zdrastvoui iojik (‘Hello Hedgehog)’ by Mamouchka, and Russian Baroque Music, second selection, composer unknown. Baroque selections are performed by tghe Ensemble Syntagama. ‘Pause & Play’ Music Appreciation mini-lessons are made for elementary-age students and their teachers or parents. Download the free basic file here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12556504

Do you love the music of J.S. Bach? Are you curious to learn more about Baroque music, the era in which Bach lived, and his life? Or are you preparing for a music history exam? This book contains 15 pages of information about Johann Sebastian Bach, including pictures and interesting facts about his music. Following each section of text are ‘activities’ and ‘cut-outs’ which you may use to assemble a simple one-folder ‘lapbook’, which will serve as a reminder of what you’ve learned, and a useful study prompt tool - your completed lapbook will also be something nice to look at! Full instructions are included. All you need are scissors, glue, a pen or pencil, a folder (the colour of your choice) and a printed black and white version of this book. Get ready to learn more than you ever thought possible about the man who is considered one of the greatest composers of all time!