Have your music students mentally checked out for the school year? Have YOU mentally checked out for the school year? Let’s face it, this time of year EVERYBODY is ready for summer. It’s time for warm days, beach trips, sleeping in, etc. Here are some fun music education projects to celebrate the impending summer months!
1. My Musical Vacation Project
Who doesn’t love a vacation? A musical vacation project is a great way to discover music from different cultures and areas while allowing students to explore their own interests.
To begin this project, have students select five places to visit on a dream vacation (side note- I’ve had some students do a STELLAR job selecting imaginary places from books and movies. It wasn’t what I expected but their projects turned out AWESOME.) Once your students have selected their five places, have them find a song to represent each location. The song can reference the location, belong to an artist who is from the area, or have lyrics that relate to the place. Then, they have to write a short explanation as to WHY they chose that song to represent the location.
This project culminates in a final “vacation playlist.” Many students will share exciting places they have been, wish to go, or are planning on visiting in the summer.
You are welcomed to borrow this lesson concept, or buy my pre-made version on TPT!
2. Summertime Theme Song Composition Project
This project takes a little bit more teacher preparation than the first, BUT it can really engage students who are interested in music composition.
I have my students create “theme songs” for several different summer items, but I give them specific instructions on how to represent the specific qualities of each item through using musical elements.
For example:
Surfboard Theme -> Compose a song that shows the speed of the board by using a fast tempo.
Sailboat Theme-> Compose a song that shows the boat rocking up and down with the waves by creating a melody that goes up and down.
Sandcastle Theme-> Compose a song in which the texture goes from thin to thick to represent the build of the castle.
Some of your students might wish to choose a different summer item, which should work as long as they can think of a musical way to represent the item. My students do most of their composing on chrome music lab, but this project can work through traditional composition as well!
You are welcome to borrow this lesson concept, or buy my pre-made version on TPT!
3. Playlist For My Day Off Project
There is nothing like a day off. For this activity, have your students choose five activities that they would choose to do for their day off. Then, have them select a song that represents each activity. Students should write a short explanation as to why the song represents the activity. Finally, each song should be added to a final “Playlist for a Day Off.”
This is a great way for students to connect music with outside experiences that are meaningful to them. As an add on, I like to have my students draw themselves enjoying their day off to use as a playlist cover image.
You are welcome to borrow this lesson concept, or buy my pre-made version on TPT!
Looking for even more fun? Check out:
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