Mrs. Salomonson's Music
Music is a very powerful thing, and there is a hidden beauty that lies within music. Music naturally makes things much better due its therapeutic nature. Check out these fun activities and games!
Websites with Games and Activities to Explore
Music K-8 Games Games and Concept Videos (Ex: music symbols matching game)
Julie's Green Room (Julie Andrews) Videos
Fun and Games with Music - San Francisco Kids
Brain Pop - Arts and Music
Arts Alive - resources, games, activities, composers
Line Rider Music Videos: William Tell Overture Beethoven's 5th Harry Potter Avengers Marriage of Figaro Mountain King Turkish March Für Elise
SING!!!
The Singing Classroom Sing along with the videos of known songs, and even to learn new songs! (Sign up for a one month free trial; email the company and they will send you an email address and password for parents and students log in to watch videos)
This Singing Space (a Facebook group) Parents can join to view members posting videos of them singing songs for kids. Search for a certain video, your child's favorite song, or just have them watch whatever they want!
PRACTICE WHAT YOU KNOW
Rhythm Trainer - Practice rhythms by listening and writing
Rhythm Randomizer - rhythm reading game
Sing it Back Video using Sol Mi
Boom Cards - interactive activity cards; free
Upper Grade:
Sight Reading Factory - a fun way to practice your skills
Tone Savvy Activities and Music Practices
Staff Wars (free on PCs) Practice pitch names
Music Tech Teacher - games and activities
GET MOVING!!
Videos of Prop routines with balls, scarves and plates
If You’re Happy and You Know It
3 Songs to Move to (2 use scarves!)
CREATE or COMPOSE
52 Instruments to Make From Home
Rubber Band Harmonica - It's not a beautiful sound, but it works!
DIY Music Instruments - Several ideas for crafting instruments at home.
Compose Your Own Music (Classics for Kids) Drag notes to compose your own song!
Incredibox (free on PCs, paid app for tablets and phone) Create loops using many different sounds!
Isle of Tune Free on PC. Build a town with a musical twist. Elements like light posts, houses and trees are the sounds and cars drive down the road and "play" the composition.
Create your own music video or perform your favorite song! I would love to see it so please email it to me!
FUN MUSIC ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO!
Interviews: Have students interview family members about their musical backgrounds and interests. What is their favorite song right now and why? What instruments do they play? What does music mean to them? Who are their favorite artists? Students can record the responses they get and also answer the questions themselves.
Instrument invention: Have students invent a new instrument. They could draw a picture of it and describe how it is played, how it’s constructed, and what it sounds like, or they could make one out of recycled materials.
Hand-washing dance choreography: Have students choreograph a short dance routine incorporating the different ways we’re recommended to wash our hands (scrubbing nails, between fingers, etc). Check out this one for inspiration.
Listening log: Have students write down music that they hear each day. Depending on the age, they can also record information about the songs, like the title/artist, genre, mood, time signature, tempo, instrumentation, etc., or they could draw a picture in response to the music.
Singing log: Have students write down songs that they sing each day. They can sing along with a recording, sing by themselves, or sing with their family.
Soundtrack of my life: Have students create an imaginary album that shows who they are. They can make a list of song titles, and for each song describe the music—this could be done either by asking students to come up with their own imaginary songs or by having students find existing songs that would describe aspects of their personality/life. Students could also design an album cover to go with it, write liner notes, etc.
VIDEOS
Bill Nye, the Science Guy Music Video
Silly Symphonies - MusicLand
Watch a musical on Netflix or Hulu
The Orchestra and Composers
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids - Check out the Listen & Learn link and the Activities link
Composers for Kids (preschool to grade 2)