Feelings Through Music

Kristie Deyoe

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Feelings Through Music

Express emotions through music

In this lesson, students will explore how different pieces of music can evoke various emotions. They will express these emotions through drawing or movement, helping them connect with their emotional experiences and understand the impact of music on their mood. This lesson is important as it encourages emotional awareness and creative expression, which are crucial for social-emotional development in young children.

Audience

Grades K-2

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Express emotions through music

Materials

Audio player, Selection of diverse music pieces, Drawing paper, Crayons or markers, Open space for movement, and Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Begin by asking students if they have ever felt happy, sad, or excited when listening to music.
Explain that music can make us feel different emotions and today, we will explore those feelings.

Step 2

Music Listening and Drawing

10 minutes

Play a piece of music and ask students to listen carefully.
Provide drawing paper and crayons/markers.
Instruct students to draw what they feel while listening to the music.
Repeat with a different piece of music.

Step 3

Music and Movement

5 minutes

Play another piece of music and encourage students to move around the room in a way that expresses how the music makes them feel.
Ensure the space is safe for movement and guide students to use their whole body to express emotions.

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

Gather students in a circle and discuss how different pieces of music made them feel.
Use the prepared discussion questions to guide the conversation.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to guide a reflection on how music affects emotions.

How did the first piece of music make you feel?

Encourage students to use emotion words like happy, sad, excited, etc.

What did you draw while listening to the second piece of music?

Ask students to describe their drawings and the emotions they represent.

How did you move to the last piece of music?

Discuss how movement can express emotions and how it felt to move with the music.