6th Grade Music Thematic Unit Plans

Celebrate Valentine's Day and Black History Month with 'Harmony of Hope,' an inspiring and educational music analysis resource designed for middle school students (Grades 5-8). This engaging and no-prep-required package brilliantly combines themes of love, hope, and inspiration through the lens of pivotal songs from the Civil Rights Movement.

What's Inside:

• Google Slides Presentation (32 Slides): Each slide is a journey into the heart of the Civil Rights era, featuring seven influential songs: "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Respect," "My Girl," "Get Ready," "What's Going On," "People Get Ready," and "Young, Gifted and Black," along with the powerful "Say it Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud." The presentation includes captivating introductions to each artist, music video, thought-provoking discussion questions, and clear directions for exploring each song.
• Comprehensive PDF Packet (10 Pages): This downloadable packet offers the complete lyrics for each song, alongside a notes section for personal reflections and a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reason) based open-ended writing prompt, encouraging deep analytical and creative thinking.

Perfect For:

• Black History Month and Valentine's Day Thematic Learning: This unique resource combines historical significance with themes of love and resilience, offering a multifaceted approach to February's key celebrations.
• Engaging Classroom Discussions: Spark meaningful conversations among students about history, music, and social change.
• Easy Integration into Curriculum: Seamlessly fits into social studies, music, and English language arts lessons.
• No-Prep Convenience: Simply print the materials and you're ready to go! Ideal for busy teachers looking for ready-to-use educational tools.

Bring the powerful messages of hope, love, and inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement into your classroom this February with 'Harmony of Hope.' Engage, educate, and inspire your middle school students with this one-of-a-kind resource!

Get your class on beat! Included are 24 background tracks with ethnic flair -- tablas, bongos, electric kits, and drum sets for your kids to jam with. The 24 tracks vary from 95 bpm all the way to 125 bpm (there are 6 different tracks with 4 different tempo)

Want a sneak peak? Give the preview a sample of some of the tracks!

I use these in my class for Orff, Boomwhacker, Rhythm Sticks, Dancing, Movement, or singing activities. The tracks go for about 1 minute each, but you can manipulate a longer track by having it stay on repeat for as long as you wish

Have fun!

Dive into the rich tapestry of Black history with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle, meticulously crafted for educators passionate about providing a comprehensive, interactive, and engaging learning experience. This bundle combines a variety of resources, ensuring a well-rounded approach to teaching pivotal moments and figures in Black history. Suitable for grades 4-8, these resources are perfect for integrating into ELA, Social Studies, Art, and more.

1. Black History Month Athlete Trading Cards - Interactive Digital & Print Resource: Engage and educate your students with this interactive set of athlete trading cards. Celebrate the achievements of influential Black athletes with this 60-slide resource, perfect for classroom activities, creative projects, and bulletin board displays.
2. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE: Dive into the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with this STAAR test prep text. Designed for students in grades 6-8, this resource not only enriches students' knowledge about an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement but also sharpens their test-taking skills.
3. MLK 3 Interactive Timelines, Bulletin Boards & Door Decor: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with interactive timelines and visually appealing decor. This resource is perfect for creating an educational environment that celebrates MLK's journey and teachings, inspiring students through interactive learning and creative expression.
4. Black History Month Digital Resource - 45 Google Slides, 15 Texts, Video & Writing: This comprehensive digital resource is a treasure trove of information, featuring 45 Google Slides, 15 texts, videos, and writing prompts. It's designed to provide a rich educational experience, sparking discussions and deepening understanding.
5. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis (Grades 5-8) - Valentine's Day Special: Analyze the profound messages in songs from the Civil Rights Movement with this unique resource. It's an engaging way for students to connect with history through music, enhancing their analytical skills and emotional understanding of the era.
6. Color & Discover Modern Heroes of Black History Month - Freebie: This creative resource allows students to learn about modern heroes of Black History Month through coloring activities. It's a fun, engaging way to introduce younger students to influential figures and their contributions.
7. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE (Duplicate): Reinforce your students' understanding and appreciation of Claudette Colvin's courageous stand during the Civil Rights Movement with this STAAR test prep text. This resource doubles the opportunity to integrate critical reading and historical knowledge into your test preparation activities.

Each resource in this bundle is thoughtfully designed to cater to different learning styles and classroom needs, making it the perfect package to explore, celebrate, and honor Black History Month in your classroom. Equip your students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a deep appreciation for the contributions and stories of Black individuals with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle.

An all original program with Music and Lyrics by Jason Litt, "Black Flyday" is a rollicking and rocking show terrific for your winter chorus musical! Grades 3-6 Plot summary: The day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday”, is typically known as the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Department stores slash prices to mind-boggling low levels as shoppers battle their way through crowds to get items in their hands before many of their fellow shopping compatriots. We follow the story of Shannon, a business magnate who travels for her profession and is compelled to wait in line to purchase the brand new gaming system, The Flexdrive 2000. She plans to present this gift to her two children as she flies home after the Thanksgiving holiday. After unexpectedly waiting in the checkout line longer than she anticipates, she realizes that she missed her flight home – and that’s when the story begins take on a b-plot of its own. Shannon, along with other supporting coworkers, acquaintances, and a South California beach bum, are forced to make choices that will directly impact the holiday shopping season, and more importantly, time spent with their families. Join us in a hip-hop, non-stop adventure through the post- Thanksgiving merchandise frenzy in ”Black Flyday” The musical is 25 minutes in duration and features 6 movements in various musical genres. An acting cast packet and script is included. If you're interested more in this musical and would like some samples before purchasing, please feel free to email me at jasonlitt@gmail.com. If you have any questions about staging, directives, or other concerns, please feel free to contact me and I'll show you the ropes. Enjoy "Black Flyday!"

This bundle includes a great range of activities perfect for grades 5-8 for all of February!

1. Speed Friending Activity: A dynamic classroom icebreaker designed for middle and high school students. It includes a comprehensive teacher protocol, an interactive Google Slides presentation, engaging conversation rounds with embedded timers, a note-taking sheet, and a reflection writing prompt. Ideal for building classroom community, enhancing behavior management, and fostering open communication.
2. ELA Matchmaker Review Game: An 81-page ELA review resource covering synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, literary elements, and affixes & roots. It includes printable and digital versions for flexible classroom use, promoting interactive learning and critical thinking in literary concepts.
3. Black History Month Digital Resource: A set of 45 Google Slides featuring 15 influential African American artists. This resource includes detailed informational texts, short videos, and interactive response prompts. It's a comprehensive tool for exploring African American history and art, ideal for daily classroom activities.
4. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis: Titled 'Harmony of Hope,' this resource integrates Valentine's Day and Black History Month themes for middle schoolers. It includes a Google Slides presentation and a comprehensive PDF packet, featuring analysis of seven influential Civil Rights era songs.
5. GenZ Valentine's Day Cards: A collection of 24 unique, humorous, and inclusive Valentine's Day cards suitable for middle school students. These printable cards are gender-neutral, featuring relatable puns and high-quality graphics, adding a fun twist to traditional valentine exchanges.
6. The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak: An educational resource that blends science with Valentine's Day themes, targeting middle schoolers. It includes an article, a mini-lesson in Google Slides, a graphic organizer, and analytical questions. This resource enhances understanding of text features and author's purpose.
7. Valentine's Day Argumentative Writing Resource: A tool for grades 4-8 to enhance argumentative writing skills. It features 28 'Would You Rather' prompts, available in both PDF and Google Slides, to encourage debate and persuasive writing. Ideal for various classroom activities, including warm-ups and group discussions.

When it comes time to discuss timbre, instrument families, ranges, and the alike, you need instant samples of instruments. I used to do it the old way -- finding a specific piece of music, cueing it up in the CD player or mp3, and implement it in my lesson. It took a lot of time and extra preparation on my part to find those clips and segment them for my class... Here's the solution -- Band and Orchestra Instrument Samples. Included are 25 REAL sampled instruments, all the way from the Piccolo down to the Marimba. Each sample is a little different and includes: - 10-20 seconds of each instrument sample - stylistic features (articulations included) - a good representation of range of the instrument - authentic sounds - various tempi In addition to individual instruments, you receive a woodwind, brass, and string section example, along with a string section pizzicato section as well Consider this your one stop shop for instrument examples! If you have any questions about any instruments, please feel free to comment or contact me at jasonlitt@gmail.com Thank you and enjoy!