8th Grade Music Lesson

G-RATED VERSION | CLEAN VERSION

Please Note: Sex and drugs of this time are not addressed in this lesson as they may not be appropriate in certain educational settings. You are welcome to put your spin on it if you feel your students are developmentally and socially ready.
This lesson is focused on counterculture's free-thinking.

**INCLUDES TWO REAL-LIFE ENCOUNTERS (INTERVIEWS)**

What is counterculture and how can it change the world we live in?

Students will look at the counterculture of the 1960-70s through the festival at Bethel, New York— the age of hippies, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War. Explore the event surrounding this time and event and determine how the counterculture of this time made an impact and changed American culture. This lesson also implements depth and complexity of the topic.

GRADE LEVEL: 7TH-12TH

TIME FRAME: 60-90 MINUTES

TYPE OF ACTIVITY: GROUP COOPERATION OR INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY

OBJECTIVES

o The learner will understand the circumstances and purpose of the Woodstock Art & Music Fair Festival of ‘69.

o The learner will read first-hand accounts of those who attended Woodstock ‘69.

o The learner will hypothesize how Woodstock ‘69’s counterculture changed American culture.

o The learner will explore the changes over time in American culture before, during, and after Woodstock.

MATERIALS:

o Reading Activity (Included) May consider laminating for future use with classes and for durability.

o Depth & Complexity Activity (Included)

o Folder with pockets, one per group. Place the laminated reading activity on the left-hand pocket and

the Depth & Complexity, Geographically Speaking, and Exit Tickets copies in the right-hand pocket, paper

clipped together. Print the cover page and glue or staple it to the front of the folder. Place one folder at

each group’s station.

o Exit Tickets (Included)

o Song from Spotify or other sources: Jimi Hendrix's “The Star Spangle Banner,” Live at Woodstock

o Technology to play the YouTube video of Jimi Hendrix’s appearance on the Dick Cavett Show.

o Internet access for any research needed.

INCLUDES:

o Teacher's Guide

o Introduction Activity

o Procedure

o Closure/Evaluation

o Anwer guides

Disclaimer:

One purchase is for the use of one teacher. If additional teachers would like to use this product, please purchase additional licenses.

Looking for a way to have some fun while learning music? Look no further. This Graphic Scores Unit will have your students exploring how to represent sound using graphics and composing in no time! There are 3 main lessons included in this unit, however, the last lesson will likely take 6-8 lessons to put together and perform. This unit is one I have used with my own students so I know how much fun they have with it! The great thing with graphic scores is you don't really need any instruments to compose which makes this unit even better if you're teaching music on a cart or have limited resources available.

Overview:

This graphic score short unit exposes students to what a graphic score is. They get to represent sound using graphics and compose their own graphic score using found sounds. Students will learn how sound and music can be represented using graphics. They will practice representing a short piece of music through graphics. After, they will represent common soundscapes using their own graphics and will then create their own graphic score to perform. I created this in Google Docs/Slides so that you can customize this unit to your own unique needs.

Learning Goals:

• We are learning how to represent sounds and music using non-traditional notation.
• We are learning to compose a piece of music using found sounds and represent our sound using graphics.

Success Criteria:

• I can represent sound using graphics.
• I can compose a piece of music with a group and perform it using my score.

What’s Included:

• Lesson Plans and Ideas
• Google Slides Lesson on Graphic Scores (including original composition to practice creating graphic scores)
• Graphic organizer for students with fill in the blanks about graphic scores
• Graphic organizer for students to represent original composition as a graphic score
• Graphic organizer for students to represent soundscapes using graphics
• Graphic score for students to create their own graphic scores
• Rubrics to mark graphic score assignments
• 3 Stars and a Wish for peer feedback

Looking for a fun, exciting, challenging, and engaging way to reach students in your upper elementary or lower middle school grades? Try this all-inclusive lesson that will get your kids racing against the clock and each other with The Great Escape!

In “THE GREAT ESCAPE”, students will be given a specific amount of time to perform tasks successfully (as designed by the teacher). Each one of these tasks is a musical task and the theme for this escape room are the notes of the treble clef staff.

There are five rooms, and in each room are several "tasks" students will have to perform (either individually, as a class, A vs B, side by side, or however you wish). As soon as the task is completed, advance the slide for the correct answer (the teacher will control the game).

After a certain number of tasks, a key will be issued to exit the room and head into another room with a different set of tasks.

The five rooms and tasks are as follows:

• Room One: The Office (Name one note on the staff)
• Room Two: The Laboratory (Name two notes on the staff)
• Room Three: The Library (Spell out the word)
• Room Four: The Lounge (Pick the correct note to match the letter)
• Room Five: The Foyer (Pick the correct tile to match the word)

If students complete all tasks and open the door to all five rooms they win the game!

You can play this one of four ways

• Set a timer (5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc). You can designate how long students should receive to complete the entire game
• Keep track of time to beat another class or grade level
• Keep track of time and try again during another class to name it faster
• Play it side vs side, boys vs girls, and see who can get to the end the fastest (or before time ends)

If you would like music to accompany this to make it a bit more engaging, try using this in the background:

Escape Room Background Music

Have a terrific time with this and let us know how it goes!

Welcome to MsNerdWood's Classical Music Escape Room!

Want to introduce your students to the Classical music era in a fun and engaging way? Need a supply teacher activity? I've got you covered!

Introduce your students to the elegance and refinement of the Classical music period with this engaging and interactive escape room activity! Ideal for grades 6-8, this escape room will immerse your students in the world of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven (and more) while they work together to solve challenges and unlock clues.

Key Features:

• Engaging Content: Students will explore the Classical period (1750-1830), learning about key composers, musical forms, and the cultural context of the era.
• Interactive Challenges: Includes a variety of puzzles and activities designed to reinforce knowledge while keeping students actively engaged.
• Flexible Grouping: Can be completed in pairs or small groups, making it perfect for collaborative learning.
• Minimal Setup: Easy to use with minimal preparation, making it an excellent option for regular classroom use or as a go-to activity for substitute teachers.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for introducing the Classical music period or as a review activity. It’s a great fit for music history units, general music classes, or cross-curricular lessons involving history and the arts.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Student-Centered Learning: Promotes critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way.
• Easy for Teachers: With clear instructions and all materials included, you can focus on facilitating rather than preparing.
• Great for Substitutes: The ready-to-go format ensures that substitute teachers can seamlessly continue instruction with engaging content.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Teacher’s Guide with step-by-step instructions
• Printable student worksheets and challenge cards
• Answer keys and optional extension activities included!

Bring the Classical period to life in your classroom with this escape room activity that’s sure to captivate and educate your students!

Need to connect with your kids with their pop music through general music? Involve them in bucket drumming with Our #1 selling Imagine Dragons' hit, "Believer"!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 4, 6, or 8 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

Here's the track so you can play along...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wtfhZwyrcc

Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!

Terms of Use:

All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.

__________________________________

*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

Welcome to MsNerdWood’s Baroque Music Escape Room!

Want to introduce your students to the Baroque music era in a fun and engaging way? Need a supply teacher activity? I've got you covered.

Transform your music history lessons into an unforgettable adventure with this engaging escape room activity, designed specifically for grades 6-8. Perfect for regular and substitute teachers alike, this escape room introduces students to the wonders of the Baroque era, making music history fun and exciting.

Why Choose This Baroque Music Escape Room?

• Educational and Fun: Students will discover the key elements of Baroque music, learn about famous composers, and understand musical concepts while engaging in thrilling puzzles and challenges.
• Interactive Learning: This escape room is designed to captivate students’ attention, turning traditional music history lessons into an immersive and interactive experience.
• Teacher-Friendly: Easy to set up and facilitate, this activity is perfect for any classroom, especially for supply teachers needing an engaging lesson plan with minimal prep.
• Curriculum-Based: Aligns with curriculum goals, ensuring students gain valuable knowledge about the Baroque period through hands-on activities.

What’s Included?

• Detailed Teacher Guide: Comprehensive instructions to help you set up and run the escape room smoothly, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
• Student Challenges: A variety of engaging tasks, including matching games, true/false questions, and more, focused on the music, art, and culture of the Baroque era.
• Printable Resources: High-quality, visually appealing printables that make learning fun and keep students engaged.
• Answer Keys and Solutions: Complete answer keys for each challenge to support easy facilitation and student success.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover Baroque Music: Students will explore the distinctive features of Baroque music, including its emotional and dramatic qualities.
• Learn About Key Composers: Gain insights into the lives and works of influential composers such as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi.
• Master Musical Terminology: Understand essential Baroque music terms like fugue, basso continuo, and ornamentation.

Ideal for Any Classroom:

• Versatile Use: Suitable for regular classroom activities, substitute plans, or enrichment programs.
• Engages Diverse Learners: Designed to cater to various learning styles, ensuring every student is involved and motivated.

Bring Music History to Life!

This Baroque Music Escape Room is more than just an educational activity—it’s a dynamic way to make music history fun. By combining learning with adventure, this escape room will leave a lasting impact on your students and ignite their curiosity about the Baroque era.

Download Today!

Enhance your music classroom with this captivating Baroque Music Escape Room and watch your students embark on an exciting journey through the Baroque period.

Looking for a fun, exciting, challenging, and engaging way to reach students in your upper elementary or lower middle school grades? Try this all-inclusive lesson that will get your kids racing against the clock and each other with The Great Escape!

In “THE GREAT ESCAPE”, students will be given a specific amount of time to perform tasks successfully (as designed by the teacher). Each one of these tasks is a musical task and the theme for this escape room are the notes of the treble clef staff.

There are five rooms, and in each room are several "tasks" students will have to perform (either individually, as a class, A vs B, side by side, or however you wish). As soon as the task is completed, advance the slide for the correct answer (the teacher will control the game).

After a certain number of tasks, a key will be issued to exit the room and head into another room with a different set of tasks.

The five rooms and tasks are as follows:

• Room One: Bedroom (Name the instrument)
• Room Two: Lounge (Classify instrument family)
• Room Three: Kitchen (Classify lowest or highest sounding instrument)
• Room Four: Guest Room (Put instruments in order)
• Room Five: Hallway (Classify instrument accessories into the correct family)

If students complete all tasks and open the door to all five rooms they win the game!

You can play this one of four ways

• Set a timer (5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc). You can designate how long students should receive to complete the entire game
• Keep track of time to beat another class or grade level
• Keep track of time and try again during another class to name it faster
• Play it side vs side, boys vs girls, and see who can get to the end the fastest (or before time ends)

If you would like music to accompany this to make it a bit more engaging, try using this in the background:

Escape Room Background Music

Have a terrific time with this and let us know how it goes!

Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you Mariah Carey's smash hit All I Want For Christmas is You - REMIX for BUCKET DRUMMING!

There are eight all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are grouped 3x + 1x with a few 2 and 4 measure repeats). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

The track is INCLUDED with this one, so no need to search it off of YouTube

Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!

Terms of Use:

All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.

__________________________________

*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

Wanna get your Orff Ensemble moving and grooving but don't know where to start? Get percussive with five original compositions for your Orff Ensemble.

This Orff Ensemble orchestration provides parts for Soprano Glockenspiel, Soprano Xylophone, Alto Xylophone, Bass Xylophone, Percussion, and Boomwhackers with color coded notes. All parts work together and you can perform the arrangement with all or just some of the parts. Xylophone doubles as the Metallophone part if you have Metallophones.

You are free to dissect melodies and harmonies to what you wish, or play right from the beginning tothe end. Most arrangements are around 18-24 measures long. 3 of the pieces are in C major, 2 are in D minor (best wishes to those who have a removable B-flat bar!)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Enjoy!

Looking for a fun, exciting, challenging, and engaging way to reach students in your upper elementary or lower middle school grades? Try this all-inclusive lesson that will get your kids racing against the clock and each other with The Great Escape!

In “THE GREAT ESCAPE”, students will be given a specific amount of time to perform tasks successfully (as designed by the teacher). Each one of these tasks is a musical task and the theme for this escape room are rhythms.

There are five rooms, and in each room are several "tasks" students will have to perform (either individually, as a class, A vs B, side by side, or however you wish). As soon as the task is completed, advance the slide for the correct answer (the teacher will control the game).

After a certain number of tasks, a key will be issued to exit the room and head into another room with a different set of tasks.

The five rooms and tasks are as follows:

• Room One: The Library (Perform the Rhythm shown)
• Room Two: The Kitchen (Identify Rhythm)
• Room Three: The Den (Perform the Rhythm BACKWARDS)
• Room Four: The Boiler Room (Identify Rhythmic Value)
• Room Five: The Lobby (Perform Polyrhythms (1-4 groups of class split)
• Room Five: The Lobby (Diagonal Rhythms and Shapes)

If students complete all tasks and open the door to all five rooms they win the game!

You can play this one of four ways

• Set a timer (5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc). You can designate how long students should receive to complete the entire game
• Keep track of time to beat another class or grade level
• Keep track of time and try again during another class to name it faster
• Play it side vs side, boys vs girls, and see who can get to the end the fastest (or before time ends)

If you would like music to accompany this to make it a bit more engaging, try using this in the background:

Escape Room Background Music

Have a terrific time with this and let us know how it goes!