Here are interactive Earth, Wind & Fire music lesson plans for K-5 using movement, body percussion, instruments, an art activity, and even a fun quiz. No prep and ready to teach!
From the joyful groove of “September” to the self-affirming message of “Shining Star,” these activities give students multiple ways to experience the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. Pick and choose from the activities for a short class starter, a full lesson, or a multi-lesson unit.
By focusing on rhythm, musical form, movement, listening, and student choices, these lessons can support National Core Arts Standards in Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting.
Originally published August 22, 2026
Latest Update August 23, 2026
How to Use This Interactive Page
Pick and choose from the activities for a quick class starter, full-period lesson, or multi-lesson unit. For a written version of the activities on this page, see the Earth, Wind & Fire Music Lesson Plans Guide at the bottom of the page.
Activity Length Guide
🟢 Quick (3–5 min)
🔵 Focused (5–10 min)
🟣 Extended (10+ min)
Table of Contents
🟣 Quick Facts – Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is one of the most successful and recognizable bands in popular music history. Their music brings together elements of R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, jazz, and more.
Known for their powerful horn section, tight vocal harmonies, energetic rhythms, and unforgettable songs, Earth, Wind & Fire creates music that makes people want to move.
Click to open each blue heading.
The Band
🔹Founded in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White. (1941-2016)
🔹The band currently consists of 12 members.
🔹Over the years, more than 50 musicians have played with EWF.
Instruments
🔹Vocals
🔹Brass: trumpets, trombones
🔹Woodwinds: saxophone, flute
🔹Percussion: Congas, bongos, timbales, marimba, kalimba
🔹Strings: Electric lead guitar, rhythm guitar
🔹Keyboards: Electric piano, organ, synthesizer
Musical Genres
🔹EWF love mixing genres: jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, Afro-pop
Their HIT Songs!
🔹 “September”
🔹 “Let’s Groove”
🔹 “Shining Star”
🔹 “Boogie Wonderland”
🎷 For more clean pop songs, take a look at Trending Clean Pop Songs for Kids!
“September” Music Activities
“September” is one of those songs that seems to make everybody feel good! Its steady groove, recognizable rhythm patterns, and memorable form make it a fun choice for elementary music activities.
🟢 “September” Scarf Movement Activity (K-2)
Let students explore the movement first. You may be surprised by the musical decisions they make on their own!
Scaffolded Lesson Plans
Use these Earth, Wind & Fire music lesson plans over a series of class periods, building skills as students get used to the song and the activities.
Lesson 1: Let students figure it out and just go with it.
Lesson 2: Ask students to switch hands by sections or when there is a change in a letter. (alternating hands)
Lesson 3: Ask students to use both hands. (simultaneous)
Lesson 4: Let students decide whether they want to use alternating or simultaneous movement. At the end, ask students what they decided to do.
It’s amazing when kindergarten and first-grade students can discuss their musical choices using key vocabulary!
🔵 “September” Percussion Play-Along (Grades 3-6)
The rhythm patterns match many of the patterns in the song. Students can quickly learn the patterns and begin anticipating what is coming next.
Instruments Needed:
-One “A” Boomwhacker
-rhythm sticks
-cowbell
-drum
This is a fun way to connect active listening with performing.
🔵 “September” Rhythm Stick Play Along (Grades 3–6)
Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” is the perfect feel-good fall song for a rhythm stick play-along using quarter notes and rests, eighth-note pairs, and half notes on the spaces of a 5-line staff.
Differentiating the four spaces is also a great pre-reading skill for treble clef note reading.
If you want to pump it up a notch, use buckets and alter the shoe taps for bucket sides and floor taps for the bucket top. You’ll be grooving!
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Use the FACE note positions with body percussion.
F = stomp
A = pat
C = clap
E = snap
Lesson 2: Transfer the patterns to rhythm sticks.
Lesson 3: Use four different instruments assigned to one of the FACE space positions. Students only play when their note appears.
🔵 Let’s Groove Body Percussion Activity (Grades 3-6)
Let’s Groove to Earth, Wind & Fire with this body percussion play along activity for elementary music.
Pre-Reading!
Colorful notes on a 5-line staff create the easy and music complementary patterns for the basic forms of pop music-intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, and outro.
Teaching Tip
Great for 3-5 as is, younger grades can enjoy following a single motion such as “only clap on the orange notes” or “only pat on the blue notes.”
For more body percussion play alongs, check out this BIG body percussion playlist on YouTube!
🟣 “Shining Star” SEL & Art Activity (Grades K-6)
Earth, Wind & Fire’s iconic song “Shining Star” can inspire an art activity or bulletin board that celebrates individual student strengths and talents.
The song can become an SEL jumping-off point for self-discovery, affirmation, and recognizing that every student has something special to contribute.
Discussion Prompt
As students listen (Spotify link below) to “Shining Star,” they can create or decorate stars that represent their own talents, strengths, interests, or qualities.
💡 Display the finished stars on a bulletin board or hanging in the classroom as a reminder: Every student is a shining star.
🔆 Or, use this discussion prompt and the below image:
“Which one or more of these stars describes you the best? If the one you’re thinking of isn’t up there, share it now.”
🟢 Interactive Earth, Wind & Fire Music Quiz (Grades K-6)
Let’s see what we’ve learned about Earth, Wind & Fire. Good luck!
Question 1: What month was a song title for one of EWF’s hit songs?
Question 2: What instrument family makes EWF special?
Question 3: Where did EWF begin?
Question 4: In the song September, what date was mentioned in the song?
Question 5: Does Earth, Wind & Fire still perform?
Reload the page to take the quiz again.
Earth, Wind & Fire Music Lesson Plans PDF
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