Free Elementary Music Activities

Kids love playing, dancing to and listening to music.

Music is an effective learning tool. When you teach a child about music, you are not only teaching him about notes and rhythm but about discipline, culture and a host of other topics. Song lyrics can help students learn their alphabet, spell and even learn the States of the Union. Consider these fun music activities for your class.

Spelling the Colors

Help students learn how to spell the various colors with catchy little tunes they will remember. To teach kids how to spell the word "Red," use the music of "Happy Birthday" and these lyrics: "R-e-d, that spells red. R-e-d, that spells red. R-e-d spells red, that is what I just said." Use familiar music and simple lyrics to teach how to spell all the colors. See Resources for this and other color songs.

Paper Plate Tambourine

Staple two sturdy paper plates together with the fronts facing each other. Punch holes using a hole punch in both plates. This will require adult supervision and help. Thread mending yarn through the holes and tie on jingle bells to create a paper plate tambourine.

Musical Chairs

The old classic stand-by is still fun and relevant today. Set out as many chairs as there are children, minus one. Play some fun and quick-paced music. Students walk around or dance in a large circle around the chairs until the music stops. When the music stops, each child must quickly find a chair and sit in it until the music resumes. The student who does not have a chair is "out" of the game. Remove another chair and another student is "out" on each round.

Fabric Dancing

Provide pieces of colorful fabric and scarves. Choose shiny, filmy, silky and draping fabrics that flow beautifully. Play music and ask students to use the fabric as part of a dance. They should move the fabric to the beat. Stop the music and play a different style of music and ask them how the beat and tempo is different between the two pieces of music and how differently they are moving the fabric.

References

• The Teachers Corner: Color Song
• Free Kids Crafts: Paper Plate Tambourine
• Family Fun: Musical Chairs
• Family Fun: Fabric Dancing

Resources

• The Teachers Corner: Color Song