Whether you are just starting your school year, or already have been in session for several weeks, the lessons you teach this month can set the tone for the entire year. Below are some of my favorite elementary music lessons for September. I hope you find time to teach some seasonal lessons as well as establish a solid routine for developing music literacy skills.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest celebrations traditionally start in September and last into October. While Oktoberfest originally began in Germany, today many countries all around the world celebrate German culture and traditions during this festive occasion.
Oktoberfest activities include “wiener dog” or dachshund races, dachshund costume contests, traditional polka bands and dancing, traditional German foods, costumes of lederhosen and drindl dresses, and much more.
Not only has teaching about Oktoberfest been one of my favorite elementary music lessons, it has also been one of our favorite performances for the year. My elementary students have performed at our community’s celebration for many years.
If you would like to learn about the traditions and Oktoberfest activities and join in the fun, check out the lessons below. Don’t worry if you don’t speak any German, two screencasts are included to teach German counting to 10 and the pronunciation for a traditional German song.
Halloween | NON-Halloween Lessons
Halloween is right around the corner too! You don’t have to give up your music reading lessons just to work in some engaging Halloween activities. Pass the Pumpkin includes a full Orff arrangement with differentiated activities for grades K-5. Your kids will LOVE this song and the activities that go with it.
Some students and even some schools do not celebrate Halloween. So, I changed up the lyrics but kept the same AWESOME activities and turned it into a fall lesson. Pass the Pumpkin Pie can be used all season long and it is sure to be a hit with all your students. (Please note this is not a Thanksgiving activity, so your students that do not celebrate any holidays should be ok just singing about eating pumpkin pie.)
Absolutely yes! These also go on my list of favorite elementary music lessons. My students wanted to sing these songs all year long.
Sequential Music Literacy Lessons
Yes, music reading lessons can, and should be among your favorite elementary music lessons as well. And more importantly, music reading lessons should be among your students’ favorite lessons. Make time to teach music reading everyday. It takes careful planning and lessons that build one upon another, introducing only one new element at a time. Having those lessons ready to go at the beginning of the year, makes them every teachers’ favorite lessons.
Do you need ready-to-go music reading lessons that can also serve as assessments? These FUN sequential sets might be just what you need.
Fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, the changing colors, and all the fall celebrations in our area. I hope you find some time to enjoy your fall season. And I hope that some of my old favorites become some of your new favorite elementary music lessons.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Do you need help with something specific for your classroom? Send me a quick email and I will see if I can help.
Best wishes!