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.

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.

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!

This powerpoint is part of a series of lessons on TES exploring popular music history. This one is all about Rock ‘n’ Roll from the 1950s! The powerpoint has links to relevant online music recordings, facts, diagrams and allows students to explore the instruments, style of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the 12 bar blues chord sequence. 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A powerpoint introducing Indian Music. Focusing on instruments and musical structures used. A good resource GCSE music.

Looking for a fun and quick game to get to know your students? Looking for a series of musical based games which are perfect as a starter or plenary? Looking for a resource that will engage your general music or music appreciation classes that will work for remote learning or in the classroom? This powerpoint has a series of musical games that will require students to use the alphabet as a reference point. The games can be played individually or in teams. A great ice-breaker series and a fun way to reinforce musical terminology and music appreciation.

Book 4 Student Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms This booklet is full of great rhythm exercises to challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All 10 exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple. Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge. Worksheet 31 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests Worksheet 32 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests Worksheet 33 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests Worksheet 34 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests Worksheet 35 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers Worksheet 36 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers Worksheet 37 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers Worksheet 38 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers Worksheet 39 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests Worksheet 40 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line. There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.

Book 3 Student Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 school music classrooms Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge. I have created a STUDENT FRIENDLY BOOK for printing that accompanies the teacher handbook which is also for sale on the site. Worksheet 21 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers Worksheet 22 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers Worksheet 23 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests Worksheet 24 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests Worksheet 25 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests Worksheet 26 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests Worksheet 27 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers Worksheet 28 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers Worksheet 29 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms. Worksheet 30 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms. For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern 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 uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm 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.

Book 2 - Student book - Rhythm reading for middle and high music classes After finding myself in a number of different classroom setting this year, I wanted to create a series of resources that could be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestra rooms. It comes as no surprise to us that students struggle with rhythm as a majority of our students focus most of their attention on pitch. I have created a STUDENT FRIENDLY BOOK for printing that accompanies the teacher handbook which is also for sale on the site. Each of the 10 worksheets comes with a new rhythmic challenge. Worksheet 11 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms Worksheet 13 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests Worksheet 14 - 2/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers Worksheet 15 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests Worksheet 16 - 3/4 time signature. Quaver rests and semiquavers Worksheet 17 - 5/8 time signature. Irregular time signature Worksheet 18 - 9/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms, quaver and crothet rests Worksheet 19 - 9/8 time signature. Ties, semiquavers and rests Worksheet 20 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns, rests and ties. For each worksheet there are 12 lines. 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. There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom or as homework practice tools.

After finding myself in a number of different classroom setting this year, I wanted to create a resource that could be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestra rooms. It comes as no surprise to us that students struggle with rhythm as a majority of our students focus most of their attention on pitch. I have created a STUDENT FRIENDLY BOOK for printing that accompanies the teacher handbook which is also for sale on the site. Each of the 10 worksheets comes with a new rhythmic challenge. Worksheet 1 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers Worksheet 2 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms Worksheet 3 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms Worksheet 4 - 2/4 time signature. Triplets and semiquavers Worksheet 5 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms and semiquavers Worksheet 6 - 9/8 time signature. Quaver rests Worksheet 7 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers, quaver rests Worksheet 8 - 5/4 time signature. Irregular time signature Worksheet 9 - 4/4 time signature. Triplets, semiquavers and rests Worksheet 10 - 4/4 time signature. More complex rhythm patterns and ties. For each worksheet there are 12 lines. 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. There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom or as homework practice tools.