If you’re looking for lesson plans to help kids fall in love with music, incorporating picture books, instruments, and props can make all the difference. With fun stories, hands-on play, and exciting visuals, students are more engaged and eager to learn. In this post, we’ll explore three picture books and three strategies to create a music classroom your students will adore.
1. Give Students Choices: ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves’
One of the best ways to help kids fall in love with music is by giving them choices. Whether it’s choosing the color of an instrument or selecting what sound they want to play, giving them ownership in the lesson boosts their excitement. When reading There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves, I like to have students choose their instruments. Each verse adds a new element to the song, and students get to decide how they want to contribute. Choices build confidence and allow kids to express themselves musically.
By offering a variety of options, kids feel involved and connected to the music, which makes them much more engaged in the lesson. And trust me, they’ll leave the class smiling!
2. Use Instruments Often: ‘Room on the Broom’
Another surefire way to create lesson plans to help kids fall in love with music is by using instruments regularly. Kids love making noise, so why not channel that enthusiasm with structured instrument play? In Room on the Broom, I hand out a variety of instruments for each character, from woodblocks for the cat to multicultural drums for the witch’s broom. By using different instruments, especially some that aren’t used as often, students experience a whole new world of sound.
The key here is consistency—using instruments in every lesson keeps students engaged and gives them something to look forward to.
3. Add Props to Boost Engagement: ‘Leaf Trouble’
When you add props to your lesson, kids can’t help but get excited. For Leaf Trouble, I love using colorful fall leaves, scarves, and even super stretchies to help students express the movement of the story. Students can float or flip with their leaves, moving around the room to the music. This adds a fun, interactive element that makes the lesson unforgettable.
Bringing out a variety of props gives kids a way to connect physically with the music. Plus, they’re learning essential musical concepts like tempo and rhythm without even realizing it.
Let Kids Fall in Love with Music through Creative Lesson Plans
When you use these strategies—giving students choices, incorporating instruments, and bringing in props—you’ll create lesson plans to help kids fall in love with music. Each activity builds excitement and engagement, making music class something they’ll look forward to.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to create engaging, student-centered music lessons, check out The Happy Music Teacher Academy! Learn more by following this link.
Want to learn by listening? Check out the podcast episode that goes with this blog post.