Being a music teacher is pretty awesome. Thereâs nothing quite like the feeling of pride when you see your students rocking it in a performance or introducing them to a new song or instrument that will stay with them for life. That being said, it can be tough being the only or one of a few âspecialsâ teachers in your building. Having fewer people teaching your subject can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding new music lesson plans, resources, and ideas to bring into your classroom.
Our friends at Wenger love curating excellent music resources for just this reason. Weâve compiled a list of some of the best lesson plans, posters, and activities they share with music educators on their teacher resource blog. Take a look and then subscribe to their feed so you wonât miss out on what theyâre sharing next!
1. Inspiring Music Quotes Posters
![Hit the Right Note With These Free Music Lessons, Posters, and Activities Images of inspirational music quotes](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/quotes-poster-featured-1.jpg)
âMusic can change the world because it can change people.â I get happy shivers reading that powerful quote from Bono, the lead singer of U2. Just think how powerful it could be displayed on your classroom wall. Decorating a classroom can be expensive, so these 12 free posters are a great find. Theyâre available to download in color and in black & white. They also come with helpful suggestions on how you can use them in a variety of ways. For example:
- Use them to add color to your classroom walls.
- Print them in note-card size and use them for positive notes home.
- Use them as a screen saver on your classroom iPads.
- Add them to your concert programs when you need to fill a little space.
2. Music-Focused Virtual Field Trips
![Hit the Right Note With These Free Music Lessons, Posters, and Activities Picture of the Country Music Hall of Fame](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1400656825-800x401.jpg)
Perfect for those âdown daysâ right after a performance or as emergency sub plans, these virtual field trips are great for introducing your students to different music styles, showing them performances they wouldnât be able to see otherwise, or just for fun. While you do have to pay for some of the experiences, plenty of them are available for free. With options ranging from the Country Music Hall of Fame to the Kennedy Center, youâre sure to find something for any grade level.
3. Musical âBrain Breaksâ
Perfect as an introduction to a lesson or when you have a few extra minutes at the end of class, this collection of videos is definitely one to bookmark for later. They range from just plain fun, like the Muppet version of âBohemian Rhapsody,â to super interesting, like the Cymatics Hose Pipe Water Experiment. Your students are going to be asking you to watch these again and again.
4. Intro to Improvisation Lesson Plan
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Introduce your students to the basics of improvisation with this free lesson plan. Itâs ready to print and go, containing everything you need to get started immediately. During the activity, students are asked to use the names of easily recognized snacks to create different rhythms. Milky Way Kit Kat, Reeseâs Pieces Twix, Skittles Skittles M&Ms, Milky Way Crunch! The download includes teacher directions and word-rhythm cards students will use to make their improvised patterns. The lesson can be adapted for grades 3-12. The Wenger blog also provides extension activities so you can take the learning even further.
5. Composer Quotes Posters
![Hit the Right Note With These Free Music Lessons, Posters, and Activities Image of composer quote music posters](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/composer-quote-poster-banner.jpg)
This collection of nine colorful posters, each sharing a famous quote from a well-known composer, will be a perfect addition to any music classroom, band or orchestra room, practice room, or just about anywhere else music is taught and appreciated. Claude Debussy, Duke Ellington, Jean Sibelius, and Jennifer Higdon are just a few of the composers quoted. We love the diversity of composers and their ideas. Theyâre perfect for making students stop and think deeply about music, if only for a minute. My favorite? Jean Sibeliusâ âMusic begins where the possibilities of language end.â
6. Easy Classroom Music Games
Every teacher likes to have a few fun and easy games in their toolbox for just the right moments. And Wenger is giving music teachers 20 of them! Thatâs right, 20 easy music games with accompanying videos that all are perfect for almost any grade level. This great collection has something for every occasion. There are games that require simple instruments. There are games that only require students to listen. You can find games that get students up and out of their seats and games that can be played when you need everyone to calm down a bit. Itâs a great list to keep somewhere thatâs easily accessible.
7. Listening Journal Pages
![Hit the Right Note With Free Lessons, Posters, and Activities Just for Music Teachers Images of journal pages for listening to music](https://www.weareteachers.com/wp-content/uploads/Wenger_2212_Art_Images-2-800x450.jpg)
Regardless of their grade, listening skills and responding to music is a national or state standard in most programs. These journal pages provide an excellent way for students to keep track of their thoughts as they listen to new music. Different sections of the journal allow students to rate a song and discuss what they liked and disliked. Theyâre a great way to encourage students to slow down and really consider what theyâre hearing. They also can be used as a reflection tool by asking students to go back and consider their initial impressions after listening to a piece multiple times.
8. Seven Low-Prep Music Lesson Plans
You read that right: Wenger has created seven ready-to-go music lesson plans for music teachers. Theyâre perfect for those days when you need a quick and easy activity that doesnât take a ton of coordination for you or your students. Linked to high-interest YouTube videos like Voxâs âWhy the US national anthem is terribleâand perfect,â your students will love them. And youâll love downloading them all for free and keeping them for when you need them. Theyâd be great as emergency sub plans or simply as a fun change of pace.
When youâre one of the only music teachers in the building, knowing where to look for excellent resources, music lesson plans, and activities is super important. Wenger knows how important music education is for our students and supports music educators in their important role.
Once youâve downloaded the resources above, be sure to visit Wengerâs Teacher Resources blog to see the rest of their music resources for teachers.
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