It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Music teachers get ready. Your music students are going to be in the winter holiday ZONE soon – and you need activities to keep them ENGAGED and learning! Check out these ESSENTIAL music education activities to invigorate your music room through Christmas, snow days, New Years, Valentine’s day, and so much more!
#1 – Students create a “playlist for a snow day!”
First, have your students select five activities that they would partake in during their “dream” snow day. Then, have them select a song that represents each activity and write a sentence or two explaining WHY this song represents this activity. Finally, have student compile all of their song selections into a final “playlist for a snow day.” If you wish to extend this project, have students draw a playlist cover of themselves enjoying their snow day!
Here is a list of winter activities and an example slide to get you started!
This activity is wonderful way to celebrate the winter season without referencing any holidays. As always, feel free to borrow this idea for your own classroom OR buy my pre-made version on TPT!
#2 – Students create winter “Gingerbread” theme songs on chrome music lab!
This project requires a little more planning but can be a very fun lesson in intentional composition! First, have your students draw a gingerbread person. Then have them answer questions ABOUT the gingerbread person that will influence the musical choices they will make later on. For example, are they young or old? For a “young” sound, they might choose to use the “synthesizer.” For an “old” sound, they might choose to use a violin.
Here is an example of the “explanation” slide I give my students:
As always, feel free to borrow this idea for your own classroom OR buy my pre-made EXTENDED (students create the person, car, and house for their gingerbread person!) version on TPT!
#3 – Students complete a MUSICAL year in review to celebrate the NEW YEAR!
Have your students demonstrate their RESEARCH about the most recent year and their PREDICTIONS for the next year with a slideshow presentation! In this slideshow, instruct students to research and share:
- Top 10 BEST-SELLING songs of the most recent year.
- Their pick for BEST SONG of the year and WHY.
- Top 3 BEST-SELLING artists of the most recent year with pictures.
- Their pick for BEST ARTIST of the year and WHY.
- Top 10 BEST-SELLING albums of the most recent year.
- Their pick for BEST ALBUM of the year and WHY- plus their picks for three BEST SONGS on the album.
- Top 10 MOST POPULAR genres of the year.
- Their pick for BEST GENRE and WHY.
- Their predictions for the next years most popular genre, artist, and song.
As always, feel free to borrow this idea for your own classroom OR buy my pre-made version on TPT!
#4 – Students create “musical valentines” and dedicate songs to people who are special to them this winter!
Valentine’s day should be about celebrating ALL of the people who are special to you. This can include parents, siblings, grand-parents, friends, teachers, pets, and neighbors! Have your students create “musical” valentines to show their close ones that they care!
- First, students select someone who is special to them.
- Then, students select and name a song (including the artist) that reminds them of this person.
- Finally, students explain WHY the song is reminds them of the person.
Students repeat this process up to 10 times to create an assortment of “Musical Valentines!”
Here is an example!:
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Check out my collection of no-prep, engaging, winter-themed music activities!
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Thanks for Reading!
What do you think of these awesome winter ideas? Let me know in the comments! Subscribe for more music education content!
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