Engaging Elementary Music Lesson Plans for Young Learners

Engaging Elementary Music Lesson Plans for Young Learners

It is very enjoyable to teach music to young learners because they are capable of growing their out-of-box thinking skills, voice their opinions and even improve on their passion for learning. Elementary music lesson plans include ways that help children have fun while learning about rhythm, melody and movement. Most times, after using a lesson plan, the teacher may feel bored given the fact that everything looks repetitive, but with well- developed, exciting, ready to be used lessons, the teacher can always feel refreshed each time he or she is preparing for a class. Games put students in a position where they can experience music physically, and can make them love music.   1. Rhythm Practice with Percussion Instruments Rhythm is the easiest of all elements to put in music because it is always enjoyable to learn something new. Small percussion instruments such as drums, tambourines or even the hand can be used when teaching the children rhythm making the lesson even more fun. Explain to students that they should clap out of simple patterns before complicating all patterns, such as quarter notes or eighth notes. I like this method of rhythm practice because it can be used for any grade in elementary school, so it fits well into any k-8 music curriculum. This activity fosters on listening ability, and on keeping time, focus and collaboration, as students keep time and move in unison.   2. Singing Games and Call-and-Response Songs Games as well as call-and-response songs are very helpful in pitching young learners, the tone, and tempo. These activities enable children to listen and sing sounds of music phrases that assist in acquisition of musical memory and control of voice. A basic song like “Down by the Bay” which just has a call and response allows students to interact with melodies positively.   Using singing games also helps in establishment of an inclusive classroom since the students can sing along without consideration of their music abilities. This correlates well with any general music unit plans for early years of elementary learning and hence can be used as a tool by teachers as well as homeschool music curriculum.   3. Exploring Melody with Simple Instruments Including kinds of simple melodic instruments, for instance xylophones or keyboards will let the children try out on melody and pitch. First, the teacher can explain that the students are to play a basic melody, such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and ask them to listen to each tone. This aids in building their pitch recognition and it also brings in something simple involving melody.   Where available, utilization of music classroom resources such as small keyboards or recorders allows the students to gain practical feel or the patterns of the scales. This approach builds a framework for further musical learning and is easily incorporable into any elementary music program.   4. Storytelling through Music and Movement It is incredibly wonderful to continue the integration of music and storytelling for young students. Choose a story that will enable the students to use their voices or musical instruments to make sounds. For example, in a story telling session where rain is used as a theme students can be encouraged to use maracas or hands to imitate the sound of rain.   This activity can be used also as a starting point for teaching and encouraging the use of music elements such as dynamics or tempo. Such music resources for primary teachers enhances the fun and creativity in the teaching learning process.   5. Music Journals for Reflection and Creativity Writing in a music journal is a great plan to develop a musical and creative thinker in the learner. To conclude, let the learner write or draw something within the lesson about something they learned, how a song made them feel, or what they liked about the lesson. This can make a child begin to relate with music in a personal way.   A music journal also assist the teacher to determine areas of interest that the students would love to learn next, in the future. Such a tool is rather powerful and, at the same time, very simple, which makes it an ideal addition to any elementary music class.   Conclusion Well-developed elementary music lesson plans make it easier for young learners to get interested in music and have fun while doing so. These may include rhythm games and music journals which promote individual and group expressiveness, and a discovery of music. At My Music Journal, our mission is to help teachers with tools that will assist in making the learning of music easy and fun. Here are some lesson ideas that may help you foster passion for music into your learners.