Themed Lessons

Themed Lesson: Autumn

Autumn is a season of change. Discover and enjoy music inspired by autumn.

Themed Lesson: Stars

Have you ever gone outside to look at the stars at night? Stargazing has inspired poets, musicians, and artists. Listen to and reflect upon music inspired by stargazing. For all ages.

Themed Lesson: Camping

Imaginative play helps develop social, physical, language, and cognitive skills in children. And it's fun! Use music as a tool in this pretend camping adventure.

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Themed Lesson: Dreams

Use literacy skills to compare and contrast four pieces of music about dreams.

Themed Lesson: Fireworks

How might a composer turn the sound of fireworks into music? Listen to six pieces inspired by fireworks. Great for all ages!

Themed Lesson: Snow

Composers have tried to capture the sound of snow in their music. Listen, respond, and move to four pieces of music about snow.

Themed Lesson: Landscapes

Composers often depict images of nature or a landscape through music and sound. Listen to some music inspired by different landscapes.

Themed Lesson: Summer

Whether it’s the middle of winter and you’re looking for a taste of summer or it’s the end of June and students are itching for freedom, our curated summer playlist allows students to pretend to go on a picnic, hike, or gaze at the stars.

Themed Lesson: Fairy Tales

Engage emerging literacy skills such as character identification and use of descriptive words to compare and contrast music featuring Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Trolls, a witch, and Prince Charming. For all ages, with support for emerging readers.

Themed Lesson: United States

Great for Independence Day or Memorial Day. Listen to four pieces written by composers from the United States.

Themed Lesson: Home

Think about the meaning of "home" and hear music inspired by that idea in this listening lesson.

Themed Lesson: Protest Music

Students will think about why people protest and how they use music when protesting.

Themed Lesson: Ghosts

Cute ghosts, friendly ghosts, scary ghosts! Listen to four pieces inspired by ghosts!

Themed Lesson: Memorial Day

Use music to think about how to remember those who have served their country and those who are no longer with us. For all ages.

Themed Lesson: Flowers

Enjoy four pieces of music, each inspired by a different flower. Use active listening skills to play a matching game.

Themed Lesson: Dinosaurs!

Travel back thousands of years in this listening lesson about dinosaurs! For Grades K-6.

Themed Lesson: Villains

Literature and music are full of memorable villains! Listen to music inspired by villains and make up your own villain character. For Grades 2-5.

Themed Lesson: Heroes

What makes someone a hero? What makes music heroic? Listen and respond to heroic-sounding music.

Themed Lesson: Sun

Follow the sun from sunrise to sunset in this listening lesson. Students will compare and contrast four pieces inspired by the sun. Great for all ages.

Themed Lesson: Rain

Many composers have captured the sound and feeling of rain in music. In this lesson, explore four different pieces about rain.

Themed Lesson: Nature

Nature makes its own music. Listen to sounds in nature and to pieces of music inspired by nature.

Themed Lesson: April Fools'

Listen to music by composers who have captured the mischievous characters of practical jokers, clowns, and comedians in their compositions.

Themed Lesson: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Many composers have used music to sound like animals or to conjure up the image of an animal. Use your imagination to consider what a lion, tiger, or bear sound like!

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

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