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 project will work perfectly for KS3 & KS4 music classes or as a cover work project.
The idea is that students listen to different genres of ‘popular’ music, select their genre and complete a series of tasks. Students can work independently, in pairs or small groups on this task. It can be completed using a variety of different technology - depending on what you have available in your school. You can also swap, omit or add slides to meet the needs of your students and the equipment available in your classroom.
The powerpoint has 24 slides. Included are the tasks, a listening exercise with YouTube links, example band logos, example album covers and example merchandise.
The task is to be a band manager and students are to create the following:
A band name, logo and names of band members
To decide on what style or genre of popular music will be performed
What instruments the band will play
Create an album of 8 songs (covers or originals) and decide which one is going to be released as the first single
Design merchandise for selling on tour. T-Shirts, posters, cups, calendars, etc.
There are two practical extension tasks in the advice for teachers slide.
The project should last between 3 - 5 lessons depending on how many tasks you include. It links perfectly with the middle school / KS3 music curriculum Year 3 Term 1 module that is for sale on this page.
Classical music worksheet - comparing two pieces by Beethoven.
This is a great introduction lesson to the composer Beethoven. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on YouTube - 1st Mvt of Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Beethoven and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to 1st Mvt of Moonlight Sonata and Für Elise. 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.
An introduction music lesson on Protest Songs - powerpoint
This resources was created for middle / high school music classes and is an introduction to protest songs. I have used the powerpoint on-line and in the classroom and it can take 2 x 45 minutes to work through the whole presentation. There are 12 slides.
The slides include the following artists and songs:
Bob Dylan - Masters of War
Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
2Pac - Changes
There are links to the recordings, a brief historical intro and a series of musical questions for each artist. Questions can be answered verbally in class or as a written task. This powerpoint could be used for a cover lesson.
It would also work as a great intro for any general music classes or choral classes looking at studying protest songs in more depth.
There are some suggested musical extension tasks at the end of the powerpoint that you could use if you wanted the lesson to be the introduction to a whole unit.
Classical music worksheet KS3 - comparing two pieces by Mozart
This is a great introduction lesson to the Classical composer Mozart. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on music streaming sites - Rondo alla Turca and Marriage of Figaro Overture). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a substitute / cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Mozart and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Rondo alla Turca and Marriage of Figaro Overture. 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 secondary / middle school music curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page.
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!
Pop music worksheet - comparing two singles. This is a great introduction lesson to The Beatles and learning to compare two songs. Works perfectly for class, homework or even a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic history about the band and simple questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Love Me Do and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club. 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.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons based around famous music and composers that is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explores the composer, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the music and key theory. 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.
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 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 one of a series of lessons based around famous programme music that is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explains 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.
This powerpoint is the first in a series of lessons exploring music history - Big Band Music of the 1930s - 1940s!
The powerpoint has links to relevant online music recordings, facts, diagrams and allows students to explore the instruments of the big band and the 32 bar song structure. It culminates in a personal research project.
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.
Pitch and stave note name development.
Note naming worksheet where every bar spells out a word.
Perfect for a starter activity, homework or cover lesson activity.
Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century classical music listening and project worksheets.
This is perfect for KS3 / middle & KS4 / high school music classes.
Each worksheet explores a different period of classical music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task, cover lesson 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.
A powerpoint resource introducing instruments and musical terms related to African and Arab music.
Lots of original photos of traditional instruments.
A great teaching resource for GCSE music.
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).
Don’t forget to follow the page for updates and latest resources!!
Stuck for cover work that is suitable for a cover teacher to teach?
In this bundle you will find a wealth of different resources that are perfect for middle and high school general music classes.
Resources include powerpoints, worksheets and more.
Topics include listening exercises, music theory, quizzes, programme music and pop history as a starting point.
All resources have been used and taught in the classroom and cater for a variety of different musical abilities.
This is an introduction lesson to Gustav Holst’s The Planet Suite
The powerpoint (9 slides) gives a short introduction to the work and composer.
Students listen to Mars the Bringer of War
Students listen to Venus the Bringer of Peace
Students compare and contrast the music, focusing on musical elements
Students then complete a composing task - creating their own version of Mars or Venus based on the classroom resources of your choice.
There are links in the notes pages of the slides.
This powerpoint links with the programme music and musical elements topic of the middle school music curriculum that is available to purchase on this page. Don’t forget to follow to keep up to date with all the latest resources!
Concert review self-reflection worksheet for music / band / choir classes.
This 2 page worksheet was created to help students start to think and self-reflect on their performance in a concert.
On the first page students self evaluate their preparation and performance in the concert. They give themselves a mark out of 4. There are 11 questions to answer.
On the second page students answer in more detail simple self-reflection questions about the concert and are encouraged to review what they enjoyed, learnt and need to develop in preparation for the next concert performance.
This is an editable 2 page worksheet. It can be used as a homework task, classroom activity or for a sub lesson.
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!