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.
Quick Film Music project for KS3 or KS4 music students
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.
Quick Music Technology project for KS3 and KS4 music classes
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.
This task is linked to Year 3 module 1 of the middle school curriculum (Pop Music).
Popular music worksheet - comparing two pieces by Louis Armstrong
This is a great introduction lesson to the jazz musician Louis Armstrong. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on music streaming sites - Heebie Jeebies and Hello Dolly). 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 Armstrong and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Heebie Jeebies and Hello Dolly. 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 KS3 / Middle School Music Curriculum that is available to purchase on Passionate About Music Education page.
Musical Genres and Styles Mini-projects Book 1 & 2
This series of worksheets was originally created for KS3 & KS4 music classes during online teaching. The series have been popular with music teachers as it offers a set of projects that work for music classes, extended projects and cover work for non-specialist teachers.
The worksheets are designed to focus on listening, musical appreciation and improve understanding of different historical and musical contexts.
These worksheets work for any teacher who is teaching students who have no or limited access to instruments at school or home. However, the projects do give freedom to supplement the tasks with practical work of your choice where and when possible.
Each worksheet explores different genres and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task or could even be expanded into a longer class project. The idea is to share a musical appreciation and life-long love of music with students, even if practical work is limited.
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.
I hope your students enjoy these tasks!
Musical elements dynamic terms quiz powerpoint for KS3 and KS4 music
There are 50 questions focusing specifically on dynamics that have been broken into 5 sets of 10 questions.
This gives you the option to decide whether you want to use each section separately as a fun starter activity or complete the whole powerpoint in one go.
You can have students working individually, in pairs or in groups to answer the questions. This gives you the ability to adapt the quiz to meet your specific classroom set up.
This powerpoint can work as a sub lesson with a non-specialist as the answers are at the end of each section.
Dynamics covered:
Italian names
Dynamics symbols
English terms
Reading dynamics from a score - Beethoven and Chopin piano pieces
Instruments quiz powerpoint for KS3 and KS4 music classes
There are 50 questions focusing specifically on musical instruments that have been broken into 5 sets of 10 questions.
This gives you the option to decide whether you want to use each of the 5 sections separately as a fun starter activity or complete the whole powerpoint in one go.
Students can work individually, in pairs or in groups to answer the questions. This gives you the ability to adapt the quiz to meet your specific classroom set up.
This powerpoint can work as a sub lesson with a non-specialist as the answers are at the end of each section.
Instruments covered:
Orchestral traditional instruments
Vocal and pop music instruments
World music instruments
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.
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.
Classical Music Bundle for Secondary general Music classes
In this bundle you will find a wealth of different resources that are perfect for KS3 / middle and KS4 / high school general music classes.
Resources include powerpoints, worksheets and more.
Topics include listening to classical composers, programme music and composing using classical music as an inspiration.
All resources have been used and taught in the classroom and cater for a variety of different musical abilities.
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.
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 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.
Classical music history worksheet - comparing two pieces by Liszt.
This is a great introduction lesson to the Romantic composer Liszt. It’s a chance for students to learn to compare two contrasting pieces (these are easily accessible on YouTube - Liebestraum No. 3 and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Liszt and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Liebestraum No. 3 and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. 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.
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.
Classical music worksheet - comparing two pieces by Chopin. This is a great introduction lesson to the Romantic composer Chopin. It’s a chance to learn how to compare two contrasting pieces (easily accessible on streaming music sites - Raindrop Prelude and Minute Waltz). This single lesson activity will work perfectly for class lessons, homework or a cover lesson.
The worksheet starts with some basic historical facts about Chopin and simple comprehension questions.
Then there is a comparison question where students listen to Raindrop Prelude and Minute Waltz. These pieces are easily found on streaming music 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 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.
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.
Band Piece review worksheet for school music / band classes.
This 2 page worksheet was created to help students start to think about the band repertoire they practice in class in more detail.
On the first page are general music questions about the composer, genre of music and musical elements (tempo, etc). On the second page students are to answer simple self-reflection questions about the piece to encourage them to consider how to practice and improve their own performance. They need to identify challenging passages of rhythm and melody and then to consider how they can practice these outside of the classroom.
This is an editable 2 page worksheet. It can be used as a homework task, classroom activity or for a sub lesson.
Choir Piece Review worksheet for music / choral classes.
This 2 page worksheet was created to help students start to think about the choral works they sing in class in more detail.
On the first page are general music questions about the composer, genre of music and musical elements (tempo, etc). On the second page students are to answer simple self-reflection questions about the piece to encourage them to consider how to practice and improve their own performance. They need to identify challenging passages of rhythm and melody and then to consider how they can practice these outside of the classroom.
This is an editable 2 page worksheet. It can be used as a homework task, classroom activity or for a sub lesson.
The Blues - A bundle for secondary music classes.
In this Blues bundle you will find a wealth of different resources that are perfect for middle and high school general music classes.
It covers the walking bass, blues scale, chords, and a booklet with class notes. Other resources are linked with the time period and history of blues and jazz music.
Resources include powerpoints, worksheets and more. There are videos on Youtube at music theory made simple demonstrating how to play the blues.
All resources have been used and taught in the classroom and cater for students with a variety of different musical abilities.
