Drums Archives - Oodles of Music

Better Engagement Using Small Group Music Projects

Music educators generally teach a wide variety of grade levels and a common challenge is engaging older students. Let’s look at how we can have better engagement in elementary music using small group music projects.

The Playlist

We’ll start with the reasoning behind small groups and their effectiveness. Then on to how to set them up. Or skip straight to the lesson plans to see if they will work for you.

The Challenge & the Solution

Music Schedules & Perceptions

Unlike a homeroom/classroom, music classes meet relatively infrequently so building relationships and trust with students takes more time.

Students often consider special area classes a “break” from the rigors of their other classes which can make engagement and classroom management more challenging, especially for grades 4-8.

Beginning of the Year Music Activities and Name Games

You’re a new teacher, new to elementary, or ready to freshen up your day and week-1 elementary music activities. You’re nervous about getting started on the right foot. You don’t want to do too much talking but make expectations clear. Here are some tried, true, and new beginning of the year music activities.

Beginning of the Year Activities That Work

You want your beginning-of-the-year music activities to be that perfect combination of fun and learning while teaching routines and expectations. Here you’ll find some name games and activities that will have your students interacting on the very first day in music class.

Here’s a plan that worked for me year after year and is the perfect example of- “Variety is the spice of life.”

My Perfect Lesson Plan

CONNECT: A very short bio about yourself that lets kids make a connection. Share whatever you’re comfortable sharing but they love to hear about hobbies, music taste, pets, and family.
ROUTINES & PROCEDURES: Choose the routines and procedures that will be important for your teaching
NAME GAMES: Pick one or two name games (below) that interest you and add it to your lesson plans. Using someone’s name is personal and a great way to connect to each other.
SINGING GAME: End with a singing game! Check out singing games to immediately get kids singing and having fun.

If you love lesson plan ideas that infuse music with classroom management, join the Oodles Newsletter for weekly tips and trick just like the ones here!

Name Games to Start Your Year Blog Image for First Week of School or beginning of the year music activities post

The Playlist

“One Piece of Pie” Round with Six Integrated Lessons

Take a look at this unique resource with EIGHT unique sound files to support student learning!

melody lines
accompaniments
Orff parts
beat keeping for rhythmic practice
vocal lines for solfege highlighting low so
- sms
- sls
listen in “round” form

Sound file for song

Monkeys Spinning Monkeys

A bubbly, bouncy instrumental piece that is perfect for movement activities. This instrumental piece posted on Youtube in 2014 and became a TikTok sensation, reaching over 1 million plays in 2021.

Here you will find the piece analysis, links, and teaching ideas!

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Page Index

It’s About Time

“What animal keeps the best time?

A WATCH dog!