Some of us get to teach summer music classes and camps which is such a fun way to get to dive into a little bit of extra. But what do you teach? Conceptual learning is difficult because you will have to come back to it since not all students have summer classes. Often times ages are put together so it can be difficult as well. Here are three activities for summer music classes.
Games
ALL the games! Differentiated practice games like Four Corners (the paper version), or in small circles for games like King of the Mountain or Post Office. OR bust out the singing games! Here’s a few posts of some of my favorite games.
Sound Stories, Dramas, and Creative Projects
This is a great opportunity to take time to let students create sound stories for folk tales and books. These are books and stories that aren’t necessarily musical (they don’t teach a musical element or are focused on a song), but they feel musical. They involve the imagination, help students create mental pictures. Sometimes it may be a rhythm or melodic pattern, or even a simple sound for a character every time they appear. Sounds for repeated words or onomatopoeia are other ways students can create for these stories. Even adding in movement for elements is a possibility. Students can act out characters or get more involved in creating dramas.
Creative Projects
This is the time to bust out the long creative projects. While I’ve got a lot of short-term composing projects, let students really delve into the composition aspect when you have this extra time.
Let students embark in some long term composing, group composing and try out some creative movement you haven’t had a chance to try.
Here’s a few ideas here too:
Creativity in the Music Room Every Class Part 1
Creativity in the Music Room Every Class Part 2
Listening, Music History, Deep Dives
We never have enough time to cover all the people we want to cover. There is SO. MUCH. GOOD. MUSIC.
Take time and explore some of your favorites, some new people, new cultures, and even get into student favorites. Learn more about them, add body percussion to their music, create play alongs as a group, and watch dances from all over and all times. Here’s some ideas for listening lessons.
I hope this gives you some ideas!
