Middle school music can be quite the class! Middle schoolers are going through a lot of change and for some of them, confidence in the singing department just isn’t it. Finding games and activities that everyone in your middle school class will feel comfortable playing can be challenging.
Thankfully, the veteran music teachers at Teaching Expertise have put together a list of 25 unique and overall, very engaging activities for your middle school music classroom.
So if you’ve been tirelessly searching for activities, we can ensure you’ll find something if not multiple things on this list to bring into your classroom.
1. Music Mind Map
Mind maps are a great way for students to show everything they know about a topic or subject. Using Mind Maps throughout the year or as an informal assessment will help to develop your music students’ understanding.
Learn More: Pinterest
2. Music Creator Task Cards
These task cards can be used in any music classroom. It’s a popular music activity in the middle school music classroom. In the early days of the school year be sure to have a demonstration in a class of exactly to use these task cards. That way, students can be independent throughout the year.
Learn More: That Music Teacher (Instagram)
3. Learn Clef Notation
If your middle schoolers love card games, then this is the perfect way to teach the Clef Note. Sometimes difficult concepts can be rigorous to teach, but not through a fun game like this. Download the game for more detailed instructions!
Learn More: Musical Interactions (Instagram)
4. Music is Art
Taking time to create art in the music classroom may hold more benefits for children than we’re aware of. Having students create their own music charts around the classroom will not only get them to practice the shapes of different notes but will also make the classroom more inviting overall.
Learn More: Colorfully Playing the Piano (Instagram)
5. Music Dice
Bring some dice games into your music education! As a middle school music teacher, it can often be challenging to find engaging aspects of music. Thankfully, these music dice will be a great way to practice 3-8 notes.
Learn More: Rivian Creative (Instagram)
6. Let Them Play!
If your school doesn’t necessarily have a large selection of musical instruments, that’s okay! Work with students to come up with some creative ideas to improvise different musical instruments. See what sounds they can come up with and what notes they can actually follow.
Learn More: Bourne Ms. Music (Instagram)
7. Music Twister
Music twister probably works best in small groups. Incorporate this game into some of your music lessons. Students will love getting all twisted up and you’ll love that they know exactly where to play their hands and feet!
Learn More: Baroque Music Teacher (Instagram)
8. Rhythm Dice
Have students make rhythm patterns using these dice. The dice are simple enough to make – just purchase a bag of blank dice, like these, and draw different notes on them. Have students roll the dice and make a rhythm! These can be used in small groups or with the entire class.
Learn More: Baroque Music Teacher (Instagram)
9. Close Listening
Help your students boost their musical skills by boosting their listening skills. You can create different close listening graphic organizers for various genres of music. Integrate them into your classroom for performance or for a performance found on Youtube! Your students will love it.
Learn More: Cathy’s Choir Class (Instagram)
10. Music Books
Even your oldest students will appreciate listening to a story. Whether you’re in a digital classroom or a real classroom these books are a great intro to building a strong and positive classroom environment.
Learn More: 23 Music Books for Kids to Get Them Rocking to the Beat!
11. Musical Artist Research
As funny as middle schools may be, researching is an important part of the overall education for children. Bringing it into the music classroom has many advantages for children. One of them simply being, understanding the history of music.
Learn More: Singing Along with Mrs. P. (Instagram)
12. Musician of the Month
Introducing your pupils to different musicians throughout history is an important part of middle school music education. With this in mind, why not dedicate a wall solely to this? Hang a few ready-made posters or rope your pupils in by having them craft their own!
Learn More: PinIMG
13. Creative Classroom
Bringing all of your student’s creative sides out might just be one of the most rewarding feelings. Give your students a project they’ll be excited about, like coloring and decorating these music notes!
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
14. Melody Match
Help your students show their knowledge with this melody match activity. Students will love that they can show off everything they’ve learned throughout the unit. This will also help you to know and understand exactly where students are in their knowledge.
Learn More: St. Benedict Preparatory School
15. Rumble Ball
Rumble ball is one of those cool music activities that students will be constantly asking to play. Although in the video, Rumble Ball is played with certain instruments, it can easily be modified to fit the equipment that you have in your middle school music classroom.
Learn More: World Drum Club
16. Pass the Beat
This game is definitely challenging, but in a way that students will love. If your students enjoy battle music activities this might be a good one for transitions or if there’s a bit of time left at the end of class.
Learn More: Joel Copeland
17. Rhythm Cups
Middle schoolers went absolutely crazy for the “cup song” a few years back, who am I kidding, they’re still obsessed with that rhythm. Spice up your music classroom by giving different groups, different rhythm cups to learn! These rhythms are pretty easy to learn and even easier to perform.
Learn More: Music Room UK
18. One Hit Wonders Lesson
Teaching your students about One Hit Wonders is so much fun! Have students create their own One Hit Wonder books. This project will include research and bring out your student’s creative side!
Learn More: The Fun Music Company
19. Rhythm 4 Corners
Four corners is a game that all grade levels look forward to playing. Your older students will have found different ways to be more and more stealthy throughout the game. Making it that much more challenging.
Learn More: Becca’s Music Room
20. Draw to Music
Play some music and have your students comprehend what they’re hearing into a beautiful drawing. Switch the music to intensely different songs to get a lot of variety in the artwork. It will be beneficial to students to listen and be able to comprehend what they hear in a drawing. It will also be super interesting and exciting to compare student interpretations.
Learn More: Kerri Bevis
21. Music Discussion
If you have a music classroom that doesn’t have many materials, creating lessons can be invigorating at times. In this case, it’s important to just get your kiddos to chat about music. Use these cards to initiate musically revolved conversations.
Learn More: Word Wall
22. Music Elements
Help your students with understanding their music elements with this fun and engaging online game. Students can complete this independently, in small groups, as homework, or as a whole class.
Learn More: Word Wall
23. Extra Beat Take a Seat
This game is so much fun! It’s especially fun for middle school classrooms that are tricky to get engaged in. Have students follow along with the video and have fun! Make it challenging or make it a competition within the classroom.
Learn More: Becca’s Music Room
24. Music Class Escape Room
Escape rooms have seriously become more and more exciting for students. Bring an escape room into your classroom for a fun music game that will both aid students in their understanding of different musical terms and also help them to be a little more engaged.
Learn More: Midnight Music
25. Music Note Yahtzee
This is where those white dice will come in handy yet again! Make your dice with different music notes on them. Have students roll the dice and play an all-time favorite class game – Yahtzee. This game is both easy to learn and even easier to play, perfect for the middle school classroom.
Learn More: Mrs. B Music Room
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