3 Steps to Create Fun Back-to-School Music Mixer Activities
Music Mixers are perfect Back to School music activities. Get students singing, moving, and interacting positively on the first day of school.
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Starting the school year with positive, interactive music class activities sets the tone for a successful year—for both students and teachers. Music mixer games are some of the best Back-to-School activities for elementary music classes because they get kids singing, moving, laughing, and making new friends on day one.
The smiles on your kids’ faces will show they’re glad to be back in school enjoying music activities and making new friends. Let’s make our kids smile. 😊
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What Are Music Mixer Activities?
Music mixers are simple interactive music games. Any activity that gets kids moving and interacting with several different classmates counts as a mixer. They’re perfect for the first week of music class, and they support different learning styles—auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and social.
You can use welcome songs, simple chants, or even instrumental pieces to create your own music mixer. Nearly any musical material can be adapted for a mixer. These activities also work great after winter or spring breaks, or when new students join your class mid-year.
3 Steps to Create an Original Music Mixer
The only MUST-HAVE for a music mixer activity is partner interaction and rotation. It’s important that students “mix it up” and have several different partners during the activity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design a unique activity for your classroom.
1. Choose a Song
Almost any simple song or chant with a steady tempo can become a music mixer. Start with something that sets a welcoming tone and is easy to learn.
Ideas include:
- Welcome song
- School song
- Welcome rap or chant
- Any song or chant with a friendship theme
2. Choose a Partner Activity
Students need something to do while interacting. Build in a partner-based task such as:
- Hand clap pattern.
- Play classroom rhythm instruments. (Lay out rhythm instruments in pairs.)
- Play classroom melodic instruments. (Set up barred instruments and/or Boomwhackers for partners.)
Note: Set up melodic instruments with a limited number of pitches so that the result is not discordant.
3. Choose a Movement Formation
To some degree, your classroom space will dictate the formation you use. Are you teaching music from a cart? Make two concentric rectangles around the outside perimeter of the room. Or, modify the formation so it works in each specific classroom.
Circle Formation
- Use sit spots, tape, chairs, a rug, or other markers to help students form two concentric circles.
- Keep one circle stationary while the other rotates.
- Switch roles halfway through.
Scatter Formation
- Allow flexible pairing in groups of 2 or 3.
- When another partner joins a group of 3, practice regrouping silently into 2 groups of 2.
- Teachers can step in to fill open spots. Everyone should have a partner during each rotation.
Lay the Foundation with a Drum Beat
Use a drum beat app or rhythm track to provide a steady beat during transitions or between verses. This keeps students in sync and supports steady beat development.
I use Drum Beats+ synced to my sound system, but GarageBand works great too. For more ideas, check out 13 Best Drumming Apps You’ll Actually Use.
More Tips for Successful Music Mixer Activities
- Repeat the mixer 5–7 times in a row so students rotate and interact with different partners.
- Require new partners each round to encourage mixing.
- Add a chant, drum break, or 8-beat count between verses to keep the rotation smooth.
- Extend the activity out over several days and use “add-on” activities to keep your music mixer fresh.
Day 1: Learn the song with movement and a hand clap.
Day 2: Add a rhythmic B section or rhythmic chant.
Day 3: Add an Orff instrument accompaniment.
Day 4: Guide students to create their own verse or variation.
*The app Drum Beats+ works well to provide a rhythmic accompaniment.
No-Prep Back-to-School Music MIxer Activities
Short on time? Check out these ready-to-use elementary music mixer lessons. Each includes:
- Original song
- MP3 accompaniment tracks
- Easy-to-teach routines
- Activities designed for grades K–5
- Ideas for differentiating by grade level
Click below to preview these Back-to-School Music Mixer Activities.
Start the Year with Joyful Music Making
Choosing fun and engaging first day music class activities helps students feel comfortable, builds classroom community, and gets kids actively participating.
Whether you design your own or use a ready-made set, music mixers help your students start the year connected and excited to learn.
Wishing you a joyful and musical start to the school year!
Structure Your Elementary Music Classes for Success
Looking for a FUN, effective way to teach elementary music classroom rules? This blog post shares ideas for 4 days of interactive music activities that build classroom routines while getting students singing, playing, and working together—right from the first week.
Meet the Author
Terri Lloyd is an experienced music educator with over 25 years of teaching in elementary music classrooms. She holds a Master’s in Education, an Instructional Technology Certificate in Curriculum Design, and a Bachelor of Music. Her resources are designed to help music teachers develop students’ music literacy and performance skills while enjoying learning.
She presents music education workshops, develops curriculum, and writes for her blog. Terri is on the music staff at her church and leads a children’s program. She performs as a active community musician with a local Big Band, pit orchestras, and at various events.