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Passionate About Music Education

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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.

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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 Pop music worksheet - comparing two singles
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Fun Christmas Pop music worksheet - comparing two singles

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Christmas Pop music worksheet - comparing two singles. This is a great introduction lesson to the difference between sacred and secular Christmas music. Students will compare and contrast two Christmas songs and this task will work perfectly for remote, hybrid or in-person lessons. The worksheet starts with some basic history about Christmas songs and carols and simple questions. Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Band Aid - Do they Know It’s Christmas and White Christmas. Students will describe the musical features of both singles and then look for similarities. This links with Year 3, 1st Unit module from the Middle School Music Curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page. Check out our Youtube channel - Passionate about Music Education which gives training advice specifically for music teachers!
Music composing challenge without instruments!
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Music composing challenge without instruments!

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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.
Peter and the Wolf - Programme Music lesson
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Peter and the Wolf - Programme Music lesson

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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.
Film music composing task - exploring leitmotifs
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Film music composing task - exploring leitmotifs

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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 Music Game - Spot the Odd one Out!
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Fun Music Game - Spot the Odd one Out!

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A fun, quick game which is perfect as a starter or plenary. Students need to spot the odd one out - instruments, composers and musical terms. This game can easily be played individually or in teams. 15 fun questions to answer. A great ice-breaker game.
Fun project work for Music - Reggae
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Fun project work for Music - Reggae

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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.
Popular Music Review Questions
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Popular Music Review Questions

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Easy review questions for any classes that have studied Blues, Big Band and Rock ‘n’ Roll music. Links with the Middle School Music Curriculum for sale - Year 3 unit 1 topic - Pop Music.
Musical instruments worksheet - Pop History
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Musical instruments worksheet - Pop History

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Do you want your students to have an understanding of instruments used in popular music history? The first section is identifying instruments from different ensembles and electronic instruments. The second section is exploring and researching an instrument in more detail. A good worksheet that will work for cover lessons, classwork or remote learning. Links with the middle school curriculum that is for sale. If you like this resource don’t forget to follow the page for all the latest updates and new resources!
A fun introduction to Pop History - Mix-Tapes!
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A fun introduction to Pop History - Mix-Tapes!

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A fun introduction to Pop History - Mix-Tapes! Perfect for remote or in person learning. This is a good introduction lesson to get students thinking about creating mix-tapes and exploring different styles and genres of pop music! Lots of opportunities for class discussions and listening to different genres and styles of music. A chance for students to share their love of music and musical tastes in the classroom. 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). Don’t forget to follow the page for updates and latest resources!
Worksheet 4 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary music classrooms
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Worksheet 4 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary music classrooms

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Worksheet 4 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary music classrooms This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting. Worksheet 4 - 2/4 time signature. Triplets and semiquavers 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 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 20 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 school music
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Worksheet 20 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 school music

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Worksheet 20 - 4/4 Rhythm Reading exercise for KS3 & KS4 school music classes This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting. Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers (16th), ties 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.
Worksheet 10 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms
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Worksheet 10 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms

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Worksheet 10 - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting. Worksheet 10 - 4/4 time signature.More complex rhythm patterns and ties 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 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 11 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 and KS4 music
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Worksheet 11 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 and KS4 music

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Worksheet 11 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 and KS4 music classrooms This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting. Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns. 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.
Sight-reading for beginner TENOR SAXOPHONE - BOOKLET 3
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Sight-reading for beginner TENOR SAXOPHONE - BOOKLET 3

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Sight-reading for beginner TENOR SAXOPHONE - BOOKLET 3 Each booklet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young tenor saxophonists. This sight-reading booklet will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, concert band and beginner band classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple. Worksheet 3 - 3/4 time signature. Simple beat values and uses C, D, E, F, G and 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 activities and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activity, fundamental training, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-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.