35
Are your tween and teen students losing interest in the usual music practice routines? It’s time to add some excitement with fresh activities for middle schoolers that enhance theory skills and keep classes lively. From engaging music games to innovative escape rooms, we’ve got the perfect mix to maintain the harmonious atmosphere.
Musical Warm-Ups for Middle Schoolers
If traditional warm-ups are becoming monotonous for your middle schoolers (and you!), consider introducing more enjoyable methods to spark their musical enthusiasm. These warm-up activities align with the National Music Education Standards (NAfME) to engage students in music from the very start of class.
- Call and Response: Select a musician to perform a few bars, then have the rest of the group repeat it. Continue until everyone is synchronized.
- Student Conductor: Allow a student to lead warm-up scales for the band or choir at any tempo they prefer, challenging the musicians to follow along.
- Breathing Hisses: Work on breath control with singers or wind players by having them take a deep breath and then “hiss” it out for as many beats as possible.
Scale up your musical warm-up exercises
Revitalize your music period by varying the exercises used for warming up voices and instruments. Whether incorporating scales, arpeggios, or other exercises, you’ll quickly capture the class’s attention with harmonious sounds.
Intermediate Warm-ups | Middle School Concert Band Major Scale Warmups
By Classroom Composers
Grades: 7th-9th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Other (Performing Arts)
For middle school musicians ready to advance beyond beginner exercises, these intermediate warm-up routines are ideal. They focus on concert Bb, Eb, F, Ab, and C, encouraging students to practice long tones, rhythm reading, and essential key signatures.
Music Games for Middle School
Games are a favorite in music class, whether for post-performance activities or celebrating Music in Our Schools Month. These games, suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, reinforce musical concepts while fostering teamwork in a fun environment.
- Music Staff Twister: Set up five lines of duct tape as a staff on the floor, call out a note, and watch students race to the correct spot.
- Guess the Song: Play the first eight notes of well-known or previously performed songs and challenge groups to identify them the quickest.
- Create an Instrument: Encourage students to craft an instrument from materials they have or those available in the classroom.
Use music escape rooms to teach and connect
Challenge students to escape the music room using teamwork and musical knowledge. Music escape rooms offer an entertaining and educational game option for middle school band and choir students.
Music Escape Room #2 (Teams use music theory clues to solve codes) Band, Choir
By Band Directors Talk Shop
Grades: 8th-11th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music
Students may now have a reason to “escape” music class. This resource uses music theory to create clues for a mystery escape room, perfect for intermediate to advanced middle schoolers with 2-5 years of playing experience.
Masterful Music Theory Activities
Advanced music students often require activities to challenge and enhance their skills further. Discover activities for middle schoolers to delve into music theory, suitable for advanced classes or the conclusion of a music appreciation unit.
- Match the Note: Play a note and have students sing or play the corresponding note (bonus if they can identify it).
- Major/Minor Skits: Students create a skit and adjust the mood by switching the music between major and minor chords.
- Music Matching: Distribute cards with notes on a staff and have students form groups to compose a song.
Apply music theory concepts to popular songs
Your students might already be music theory pros without realizing it. Utilize projects based on their favorite songs to reinforce key music theory ideas.
Soundtrack of my Life – Elements of Music Analysis for Distance Learning
By Teach from the Stage
Grades: 4th-9th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Other (Performing Arts)
This resource is ideal for students in band, choir, music appreciation, or simply those who love music. It combines music analysis with creative expression, allowing students to craft a playlist that reflects their personalities, complete with a written analysis, cover art, and detailed examination of one song.
Sectional Activities for Junior High Musicians
For focused sectional practice, music activities for middle schoolers can facilitate collaboration among peers playing the same instruments or singing in the same sections. These activities and games build confidence, camaraderie, and musicianship skills.
- Slow It Down: Tackle difficult sections by slowing the tempo, allowing singers or band members to master them before speeding up.
- Sectional Relays: Musicians in each section take turns playing or singing a few bars, passing it on until everyone has participated.
- New Instrument Day: Equip each section with different instruments, like maracas or tambourines, to see if they can play their parts in a unique way.
Get sections working on specific music skills
Not every session needs to be a full orchestra or choir rehearsal. Allow sections to break off and focus on their parts, honing skills specific to their instrument or voice.
Ukulele Task Cards for the Music Room
By Aileen Miracle
Grades: 4th-8th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music
Enhance your ukulele lessons with task cards that encourage both learning and playing. These 64 task cards, available in color and black-and-white, include instructions for practicing chords, strumming patterns, ear training, and more.
Activities for Music Class Substitute Days
When a substitute teacher is in charge, rehearsals might not proceed as planned. Prepare for such days with no-prep activities and worksheets to keep students’ music education on track.
- Music Scavenger Hunt: Divide students into groups and play various songs, asking them to identify different genres like jazz, classical, pop, and country.
- Favorite Song: Allow students a minute to find a classmate who shares their favorite song or artist, then explore what makes it appealing through research or analysis.
- Chord Bingo: Call out chords for students to mark on their Bingo sheets or play on their instruments.
Inspire music students on non-musical days
A substitute day doesn’t have to mean lost learning. Utilize these ready-to-go activities and worksheets to help middle school students continue practicing, even in the conductor’s absence.
Music Theory Worksheets – Music Games for Middle School Lessons & Sub Plans
By MusicTeacherResources
Grades: 5th-8th
Subjects: Instrumental Music
Combine the love of music with puzzles in a music theory review challenge. This resource includes puzzles based on familiar music symbols and is suitable for use on substitute days, post-concert days, or any time students can’t play instruments.
50 Writing Prompts for the Music Classroom – Upper Elem & Middle Grades
By Music with Sara Bibee
Grades: 4th-8th
Subjects: Music, Writing
Incorporate English Language Arts skills into music class with these writing prompts. Editable and adaptable for all musicians, these prompts inspire students to reflect on their musical experiences while completing connected worksheets.
Make every day musical in middle school with TPT
Choosing the right music activities for middle schoolers keeps them engaged, enhances their skills, and fosters connections with fellow musicians. With a variety of middle school music resources available, you’re sure to strike the perfect chord! For more creative ideas for music class, explore a list of music activities for elementary students that can inspire new lesson plans.
