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.
Exploring form and structure is a great unit for introducing students to composing and creating their own music.
In this unit students will explore binary form and meditation music. It’s a great way to encourage students to see how music can help with mindset and well-being whilst introducing binary form concepts. This is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint walks the students through meditation music and the composing task. It has links to listening materials and music terms. There is a support work sheet that students can use whilst creating and composing.
Students can work in groups or individually on this task. I have taught this lesson using a variety of keyboards, classroom percussion, students’ own instruments and music software programmes. This can easily be adapted to virtual / hybrid learning.
Links with Year 2 topic 2 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
Why not follow Passionate About Music Education youtube channel for advice on teaching music and stress management support for teachers.
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 theory activities based around Christmas Songs and Carols.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop music theory? Are you struggling for new and imaginative ways of teaching remotely or in a non-specialist room?
This fun worksheet encourages basic understanding of music theory, note naming and matching song lyrics to songs and carols.
Students can then use the music theory sheet to play the melodic lines on an instrument of their choice / virtual instrument at home.
A perfect exercise for any music teachers working remotely or in a non-music classroom.
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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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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!
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 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 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.
Fun music theory activity based on the Christmas carol - Away in a Manger.
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop music theory?
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 Away in a Manger on an instrument of their choice either in class or at home.
A perfect exercise for any music teachers working remotely or in a non-music classroom.
This is a great powerpoint resource for introducing students to music from African cultures.
The powerpoint includes video links to traditional instruments and musical terms. Students have the opportunity to learn a traditional folk song and then use it as a basis for a composition task.
Links with Year 2 topic 3 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
A great introduction resource for students taking GCSE and IB music.
Exploring Music Elements and Mood in Music is a great unit for introducing students to composing and creating.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons focusing on developing understanding f music elements and how they can impact moods / emotions in music. This is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explores the theme of happiness, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the music and key theory.
Students can work in groups to create their own happiness piece focusing on the musical elements. This can easily be adapted to virtual / hybrid learning.
Links with Year 1 topic 2 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
Exploring Music Elements and Mood in Music is a great unit for introducing students to composing and creating.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons focusing on developing understanding f music elements and how they can impact moods / emotions in music. This is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explores the theme of happiness, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the music and key theory.
Students can work in groups to create their own happiness piece focusing on the musical elements. This can easily be adapted to virtual / hybrid learning.
Links with Year 1 topic 2 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
Exploring Music Elements and Mood in Music is a great unit for introducing students to composing and creating.
This powerpoint is one of a series of lessons focusing on developing understanding f music elements and how they can impact moods / emotions in music. This is perfect for inspiring students in middle and high school.
The powerpoint explores the theme of happiness, has links to relevant online music recordings, and allows students to relate to the music and key theory.
Students can work in groups to create their own happiness piece focusing on the musical elements. This can easily be adapted to virtual / hybrid learning.
Links with Year 1 topic 2 from the Middle School music curriculum that is for sale.
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.
Links with Year 1 topic 1 from the Middle School curriculum that is for sale.
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.
Links with Year 1 topic 1 from the Middle School curriculum that is for sale.
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.
Fun music theory activity based on a holiday season favourite - Jingle Bells!
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce or develop music theory?
This fun worksheet encourages basic understanding of music theory, note naming and how to apply it to a piano / tuned percussion.
Students can then use the music theory sheet to play Jingle Bells on an instrument of their choice either in class or at home.
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.
Welcome to the Exploring Musical Genres and Styles Project Book 2!
Following the popularity of the first project book, I have created a new series of worksheets specifically designed to support music teachers teaching KS3 and KS4 music.
This series of worksheets was originally created for general music classes during online teaching. The series have been popular with music teachers as it offers a set of projects that work for general 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 / 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!
