Holiday Lesson Plans for Elementary Music – December 2024
Do you need fun holiday lessons for your elementary music classes? These diverse multitasking activities are sure to become your new favorites.
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‘Tis the season for CRAZINESS! Holiday schedules can leave children feeling unsettled and distracted, both at school and home. However, December is still full of valuable learning opportunities.
Looking for lessons that celebrate diverse holidays while keeping music literacy goals on track? With thoughtful planning, focused lessons, and possibly some intentional paring down, December can be both productive and joyful.
🎁 Don’t miss the two FREE resources, the video listening map, and the rhythm playalong videos included in this post.
What’s in this post? Click to open the Table of Contents
December has SO Many Fun Holidays and SO Few School Days
Don’t forget about these special observances.
- December 6 – St. Nicholas Day
- December 13 – Violin Day
- December 20 – National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
- December 21 – Winter Solstice
- December 22 – National Cookie Exchange Day
- December 25 – Christmas
- December 25 – January 2 Hanukkah
- December 26 – Kwanzaa begins
- December 31 – New Year’s Eve
Weekly Observances
- Week 1 – Cookie Cutter Week
- Week 1 – Computer Science Education Week
Monthly Observances
- National Egg Nog Month
- National Fruit Cake Month
- National Tie Month
Diverse Winter Holiday Songs with Fun Orff Accompaniments
Do you need a last-minute addition to your holiday program or classroom activities? These guided music lessons teach music literacy skills and include tried and true differentiated Orff arrangements for grades K-5.
Click to see this post for more Diverse Winter Holiday Songs.
It Wouldn’t be the Holidays Without this Traditional Ballet
Students need to know the story of The Nutcracker to understand the ballet and the music. There are many quality versions of the story, one of my favorites is The Nutcracker, by New York City Ballet (Affiliate Link).
Once you’ve introduced the story, students are ready to learn more.
Sugar Plum Fairy Listening Map
The Sugar Plum Fairy Listening Map by Smalin helps students engage with the music and easily identify the texture, melody, and form.
Sugar Plum Fairy Playalong
Hearing and “seeing” the music prepares students to perform this Sugar Plum Fairy Playalong. Consider using scarves during the B section to outline the melodic contour of the music.
Thank you to Music and Motivate and the other talented creators for generously sharing their work.
Trepak Playalong
If you haven’t discovered the Musication YouTube channel yet, you’re in for a treat. They have a ton of FUN play-along activities that are FREE and easy to follow. Below is their Trepak video complete with a “symbol key”.
Interactive Rhythm Flashcards are FUN!
You can focus on both music literacy and holiday fun with Christmas Interactive Rhythm Flashcards. The set includes 8 differentiated levels for grades K-5. Level 1 uses iconic reading for younger students, while levels 2-8 progress through standard notation.
Keep rhythm activities novel and fresh with 10 Fun Ways to Use Interactive Rhythm Pattern Flashcards.
Free Rhythm Clip Cards for Early Elementary Grades
Clip Cards are perfect for practice, review, and/or assessment. Use them as whole group activities or centers/stations.
Simple Prep
- Laminate
- One Straight Cut
- Quick Trim
Need leveled cards for grades K-5? Click to take a peek at our Complete Christmas Clip Cards Set.
Puzzles and Worksheets for “In-Between” Days
Need some fun activities to fill the gaps between units or performances? Check out these versatile puzzles. They can be printed as standard worksheets or completed digitally using Easel, TpT’s online tool.
FREE Winter Holidays Puzzle introduces students to diverse holidays and cultures.
Music Symbol Worksheets – Printable and Digital
Music Symbols Puzzles include scrambled words, word search, and crossword puzzles. Use versatile puzzles as centers or stations, to introduce or reinforce music vocabulary, for sub days, fast finishers, or for holiday take-home packets.
Included answer keys make them easy to use for substitute teachers.
Learning About Instruments is an Important Part of Music Literacy
Learning about the main instruments of the band and orchestra IS part of developing musical literacy. These puzzles work well to introduce instruments or as a review activity.
Download this FREE Brass Family Puzzle Set and give Easel, the TpT digital tool a try.
The complete Instrument Family Puzzles Set includes 10 separate scrambled word/word search and crossword puzzles which include all of the main instrument families.
Plan Ahead to Integrate History into Your Music Class Activities
In January we honor the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. and in February we place a special focus on Black History. These activities are perfect for any time of year, but they take on even greater significance during this season.
These lessons are some of my all-time favorites for the elementary music classroom or performance! Each resource is designed for grades K-5 and includes leveled biographies of civil rights leaders tailored for both early and upper elementary students. The differentiated Orff arrangements of authentic African American spirituals make them perfect for use year-round.
Consider adding one or two of these song arrangements to your next music program or use all three and build a program around these pieces.
Click to listen to the arrangements in the video previews.
Make Music Literacy a Priority in the the New Year
While planning ahead is key, flexibility is just as important. The new year is a great time to reflect: What are your students’ music literacy levels? Are there gaps in their learning? Are you dedicating time to music reading activities during each class?
Take a peek at the ready-to-teach guided music reading resources to fill in a few gaps in your program.
Click to “Follow Mi” on TpT so you’re notified when new resources are posted.
Easily Find the Perfect Music Resources
Finding the perfect songs and activities to teach specific music elements can be a challenge. This easy-to-use Elementary Music Literacy Resource Guide features a detailed index of music elements, making it east to find the ideal activities.
This helpful index includes many FREE as well as helpful paid resources. That’s a Win Win!
December is a Time for Real Learning!
Yes, December is a CRAZY month with holidays and hectic schedules, but it’s also a time for real learning. Don’t forget to save some time for the “just-for-fun” activities too. ❆
More for Elementary Music Teachers
- 18 Winter Holiday Tips to Prevent Teacher Burnout
- 7 Simple Dinner-Time Games for Families
- Diverse Winter Holiday Songs for Elementary Music
- 30 Ugly Christmas Sweaters for Teachers
📚 Seasonal Featured Storybooks
Meet the Author
Terri Lloyd is a former elementary music teacher with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Music, a Master of Science in Education, and a Technology Certificate in Instructional Design.
Terri is active in music education through blogging, presenting and attending workshops, and curriculum development. She serves on the music staff at her church and volunteers for an after-school children’s program. Terri is an active musician in the community, performing in a local Big Band, pit orchestras, and various events.
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