Fall is the perfect time to get creative in the music classroom, and I’ve got some fantastic activities that will have your students tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and moving to the beat. Whether it’s through singing, playing rhythm games, or going on virtual adventures, these activities will help your students connect with music in a fun, engaging way. Here’s a look at some lessons and games you can try in your music classroom this season!
1. Stephanie Leavell from Music for Kiddos
Stephanie has quite a few wonderful songs for this time of year that my k-3 kids love!
Blowing in the Wind
This gentle activity can be used as a warm-up, where students imagine themselves as leaves blowing in the wind. Encourage them to move with their scarf lightly around the room, flowing with the music.
Falling Leaf
Continue the theme of autumn by having students act like falling leaves. As the music slows, students “fall” more gracefully to the ground, matching the tempo. It’s a simple, yet effective way to reinforce the connection between tempo and movement.
A Shy Little Monster
This adorable song is about a shy monster trying to get into the Halloween Spirit. It’s a great song to connect with dynamics. As the monster gets braver he says boo louder and louder!
Itty Bitty Bat
Another fun Halloween-themed activity, “Itty Bitty Bat” is great for younger students. Press play and let the students move around the room following the words in the song.
2. Rhythm Football
This football-themed rhythm game is sure to be a hit with your students. In this whole-class activity, students will pick a football with a rhythm pattern on it. They’ll clap and say the pattern, and if they do it correctly, they get to spin a wheel to see how many yards their team will move! The goal is to score as many touchdowns or field goals as possible, and the team with the most points at the end wins. It’s a great way to practice rhythm while adding an element of competition and teamwork to your lesson.
3. Pumpkin Stew
Get ready to stir up some silly fun with “Pumpkin Stew”! In this activity, students will learn a song about making a stew, but the fun part comes when they brainstorm crazy ingredients to add to the mix. The sillier, the better! Each student will sing a solo line, adding their own ingredient to the song, for example: “I think that a… (insert ingredient) will do, that’s what I’ll put in my pumpkin stew!” After singing, students can draw their ingredients on a page, adding a visual and creative component to the lesson. For extra fun, try adding an Orff arrangement to the song!
4. Hayride Virtual Field Trip
Take your students on a virtual field trip to the farm! In this interactive Google Slides presentation, students can click on various icons that take them to different parts of the farm, where they’ll engage in fun music activities. It’s a perfect way to bring the outdoors into the classroom and introduce students to new sounds and rhythms while they explore a “farm” environment.
Movement Maze
Students love an active challenge! In the Movement Maze, students will tap a steady beat along to country music, following a fun video. It’s an excellent way to reinforce rhythm skills while also getting students moving and energized.
Going on a Bear Hunt
Students can sing along to the classic “Going on a Bear Hunt” in this follow-along video. You can even include a read-aloud of the book for a multi-sensory experience. This activity is great for early learners, combining storytelling, music, and movement.
High or Low Leaves
In this listening game, students will hear either a high or low sound and then click on the corresponding leaf in a presentation. They’ll instantly find out whether they were correct, making this an engaging way to work on pitch recognition.
I Climbed Up the Apple Tree
This classic rhyme is a great opportunity for students to explore their voices in different ways. They’ll say the rhyme using four different voices: speaking, shouting, whispering, and singing. This helps students develop control and awareness of their vocal capabilities.
Five Little Pumpkins
This is a seasonal favorite that students will enjoy. They can follow along with a video to learn the classic “Five Little Pumpkins” rhyme. The repetitive nature of this rhyme makes it great for young learners to practice memory and rhythm.
5. In the Hall Hand Jive
Remember the hand jive from Grease? Pat-pat, clap-clap, hand-over-hand, and so on! You can teach this fun sequence to your students and pair it with In the Hall of the Mountain King. The challenge is to keep up with the accelerating tempo as the music gets faster and faster! This fast-paced activity will have your students hooked as they try to keep up with the music. It’s a great way to introduce them to classical music with a fun, physical twist!
