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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alicia Keys, Songs in A Minor

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Need a musical instructional activity for your drama or performing arts class? VH1 has put together a really neat instructional activity, in which learners use biographical information about Alicia Keys to write and perform a one-act...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Original Opera

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This may be a lot to ask of a high schooler, but then again, who knows? Pupils work in groups to explore, write, and then perform an original opera. They view versions of The Magic Flute and La Traviata, then compose a plot, characters,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Singing the Blues with Garageband

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Music composition can be easy with a little software assistance. The class uses Garageband to listen to, write, sing, and record a blues song. They listen to the song provided through the software, write their own lyrics to the song,...
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Handout
Curated OER

Sonata Form

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this music worksheet, students learn about the sonata form of music composition. Students read about the 3 main sections of the sonata form: exposition, development and recapitulation followed by a coda. There are no questions on the...
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Music Composition

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete, undergraduate level online course on music composition. Includes all course material, projects, assignments, and exams with solutions.
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Website
BBC

Bbc Radio2: Sold on Song

For Students 9th - 10th
If you love classic pop and rock songs and performers, you'll want to visit this site. Includes background information and audio, a glossary, a guide to songwriting styles, songwriting tips, music quizzes, interviews, and so much more....
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Website
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Dallas Symphony Orchestra

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Students will enjoy this interactive website. There are many musical topics to explore while having fun. Learning how to make your own instrument, playing games and listening to music are just a few of the things you can do here.
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Website
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Dallas Symphony Orchestra

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Students will enjoy this interactive website. There are many musical topics to explore while having fun. Learning how to make your own instrument, playing games and listening to music are just a few of the things you can do here.
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Website
PBS

Classics for Kids: This Week

For Students 3rd - 8th
This website is sponsored by a classical radio station in the Midwest. The site contains audio files and text files of past shows, games, a handful of lesson plans, and lots of energy. You can find information on many composers by...
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Interactive
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Perfect Pitch

For Students 9th - 10th
Perfect Pitch is an interactive learning environment that lets you form orchestras and create your own orchestral arrangements of music from the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern periods. Clever game design, including a...
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Activity
University of Virginia

Music Paper

For Students 9th - 10th
Composing your own music is just a click away with this blank music paper. Several templates are available to help you quickly begin composing. Simply select the one you would like and print out as many copies as you need.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Elements of Music: Exploring the Composer's Tools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This online lesson will help students understand how composers write music by engaging in a project which culminates in their own compositions.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: The Blues as Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Discover what the relationship is between poetry and the blues. This site features lesson plans and online resources.
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Activity
Other

Music Sheaf: Music Paper

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is an excellent site that allows you to print your own music paper. The great feature of this site is that you can also create your own customized version of music paper to better suit your needs.
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Interactive
Other

Chord Studio

For Students 9th - 10th
Have fun composing your own music with this easy to use online tool. Select the chords you want your song to have and choose the various instrument styles. You can sign up for a free account so you can save your songs and edit them later.
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Website
Other

Ray Charles Online

For Students 9th - 10th
This personal website of Ray Charles contains a very interesting autobiography, including discussions with the artist on how he writes and arranges music in his head, how soul music and rock and roll originated, and much more.
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Interactive
Other

Sfskids: Music Mountain

For Students 3rd - 6th
Become a composer and make your own tune.
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Article
Other

The Golden Rules of Songwriting

For Students 9th - 10th
Do you have the desire to begin writing music but don't know how to get started? This well written article provides some very good advice to help you on your way.