Summer is a great time to think outside of the box as you lesson plan! Flexibility with your lesson plans in the summer is also key, since students are often taking more sporadic lessons due to summer vacations, camps, sports, and other activities.
So, over the next several weeks, I will be sharing a series of fun lesson plans that will be perfect for busy students (and teachers) this summer! Each lesson plan focuses on one skill and includes links to FREE worksheets and activities that can be completed in the space of a 30 minute lesson.
Lesson Plan #3 is full of activities that celebrate Independence Day! Keep reading to see the summer fun....
So, over the next several weeks, I will be sharing a series of fun lesson plans that will be perfect for busy students (and teachers) this summer! Each lesson plan focuses on one skill and includes links to FREE worksheets and activities that can be completed in the space of a 30 minute lesson.
Lesson Plan #3 is full of activities that celebrate Independence Day! Keep reading to see the summer fun....
Happy Fourth of July!: A 30-Minute Lesson Plan
If you want special activities that celebrate this fun summer holiday, then this lesson plan is for you! Check out the free activities below:
If you want special activities that celebrate this fun summer holiday, then this lesson plan is for you! Check out the free activities below:
| 1. Let's start out with a fun activity that puts both your student's sight-reading and their knowledge of famous American patriotic tunes to the test! Each level of this name-that-tune sight-reading activity contains 4 excerpts of famous patriotic songs for your students to sight-read and identify. Click on the image to download all 3 levels in a single PDF. |  |
| 2. Next, let's dive a little deeper into one of these familiar tunes with an ear training activity! This worksheet walks students through the process of playing the well-known song "My Country "Tis of Thee" by ear. Click on the image to download your free copy. |  |
3. No patriotic lesson plan would be complete without including our beloved national anthem. Here are links to free sheet music arrangements of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a variety of levels:
4. Finally, end your lesson by introducing students to a famous classical piece that is often featured in Fourth of July concerts. This is possibly the only classical piece ever written that includes live cannons in its orchestration! Here is the coda of the famous "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky, including close-up shots of the cannons being fired and fireworks, of course!
- Elementary version, arranged by Chrissy Ricker, available HERE.
- Late Elementary to Early Intermediate version, arranged by Gilbert DeBenedetti, available from G Major Music Theory HERE.
- Intermediate to Late Intermediate version available HERE from Hymnary.org.
4. Finally, end your lesson by introducing students to a famous classical piece that is often featured in Fourth of July concerts. This is possibly the only classical piece ever written that includes live cannons in its orchestration! Here is the coda of the famous "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky, including close-up shots of the cannons being fired and fireworks, of course!
Need more patriotic activities for a longer lesson? Try one of these optional activities:
- Visit the "Classics for Kids" website and listen to a podcast to learn more about one of these famous American composers!
- Or, watch this short video that explains the interesting history behind the composition of the national anthem.
| UPDATED JULY 2024: I've gotten a couple of requests for pre-reading patriotic music, so I am happy to share this pre-reading version of "Yankee Doodle" too! Click on the image to get your free copy, and visit my "Free Stuff" page HERE to see all of my patriotic music. |  |
What do you think? Do you have any fun Fourth of July activities planned for your students this summer? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!
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