Music Magic!

arrie.wilson

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Music Magic Lesson Plan

Help a first grader recognize that music class is fun, lets them express feelings, and builds confidence through a short, hands-on session with guided play and reflection.

Building positive attitudes early encourages ongoing engagement in music and supports social-emotional growth by giving students a safe space to express themselves.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Combine guided instrument play with reflection and discussion.

Materials

Classroom Percussion Instruments, Music Magic Reflection Sheet, Visual Prompt Cards, Timer or Stopwatch, and Pencil or Crayon

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Print and assemble Music Magic Reflection Sheet.
Print and cut out Visual Prompt Cards.
Gather a selection of classroom percussion instruments (e.g., maracas, tambourine, xylophone).
Ensure you have a quiet, distraction-free space for the session.
Review the session flow and materials to build confidence in delivery.

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Greet the student and explain that today they will explore why music class is fun and confidence-building.
Show a Visual Prompt Card featuring a child playing an instrument and ask, “How do you feel when you hear or play music?”
Listen and acknowledge their response to set a positive tone for participation.

Step 2

Hands-On Music Exploration

8 minutes

Offer the student a choice of percussion instruments and let them play freely for 2 minutes to warm up.
Introduce two simple rhythm patterns on an instrument; demonstrate and have the student repeat each.
Use a Visual Prompt Card depicting emotions (happy, excited, calm); after each pattern, ask “Which feeling matches how that rhythm sounds?”
Encourage the student to pick an instrument-feeling pairing and play it back.

Step 3

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

Give the student the Music Magic Reflection Sheet.
Prompt them to draw their favorite instrument and write one sentence about how playing music makes them feel.
Ask guiding questions: “Why do you think music class is important?” and note their answers.
Praise their effort, highlight how expressing themselves through music builds confidence, and reinforce the fun aspects of class.

Slide Deck

Music Magic!

Welcome to Music Magic!

Today we’ll discover why music class is fun, helps us express ourselves, and makes us feel confident.

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce the session’s purpose: exploring why music class is fun, helps us share feelings, and builds confidence.

How Does Music Make You Feel?

• Look at this picture of a child playing music.
• How does music make you feel?
• Share one word that describes your feeling.

Show a Visual Prompt Card featuring a child playing an instrument. Ask: “How do you feel when you hear or play music?” Listen and acknowledge their answer.

Let’s Play Instruments!

Pick a percussion instrument you like (maracas, tambourine, xylophone).
Play freely for 2 minutes – make any sounds you enjoy.
Notice how making music feels!

Guide the student to choose an instrument and play freely for 2 minutes to warm up. Encourage exploration and positive feedback.

Rhythms & Emotions

• Rhythm Pattern A: ♫ ♫ ♫
Which feeling matches this rhythm? (happy, excited, calm)

• Rhythm Pattern B: ♫–♫ ♫–
Which feeling matches this one?

Demonstrate two simple rhythms. Use a Visual Prompt Card with happy, excited, calm faces. After each rhythm, ask the student to match an emotion.

Reflection Time

• Draw your favorite instrument.
• Write one sentence: “Playing music makes me feel ___.”
• Talk about why music class is important.

Provide the Music Magic Reflection Sheet. Encourage drawing and writing; ask guiding questions about why music class matters.

Great Job!

You did it!

• Music class is fun.
• Music helps us show our feelings.
• Making music builds confidence.

Praise the student’s effort. Reinforce key messages: music is fun, helps express feelings, and builds confidence.

Worksheet

Music Magic Reflection Sheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

1. Draw your favorite instrument:

2. Finish the sentence:

"Playing music makes me feel ______________________________."

3. Why is music class important?

Write your answer below:

4. List three words that describe how music makes you feel:

• ___________________________

• ___________________________

• ___________________________

Activity

Visual Prompt Cards

Use these cards to explore feelings and music during the session. There are two sets:

Children Playing Instruments (show and ask “How does this child feel when making music?”)
- Child Playing Maracas: A smiling child shaking bright maracas.
- Child Playing Tambourine: A joyful child tapping a tambourine.
- Child Playing Xylophone: A focused child striking a colorful xylophone.
Emotion Faces (show after rhythms and ask “Which face matches this rhythm?”)
- Happy Face: A big yellow smile.
- Excited Face: A wide-grin orange face.
- Calm Face: A peaceful blue face with closed eyes.

Print, cut out, and laminate for durability. Use during introduction and the rhythms activity to prompt discussion about feelings and music. You can revisit them in future lessons to reinforce emotional vocabulary and musical expression.