When I first started teaching elementary music, I constantly asked myself: how do I fit it all in? Music theory, history, composers, listening, singing, and playing instruments — all the things. My plans were packed, but I knew something was missing. I wanted more cohesion and more connection.
Then, a new art teacher joined our staff. Her approach was a revelation. Her units were clean, connected, and captivating for students. She began each one with a hook — a storybook or a video about a master artist. From there, she shared the historical context, introduced the artist’s works, and identified the defining characteristics of the style. Finally, students created art using the artist’s techniques or themes. Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired flowers, Van Gogh-inspired Starry Nights, Romare Bearden-inspired collages — every grade had something unique and meaningful.
I really wanted to plan like this, but I could not figure out how to apply her concepts to music. How could my students connect with composers and actively make music in the way her students painted or sculpted? The breakthrough came when I saw her first graders studying Mondrian. That’s when I noticed that her lessons focused on LINE and PRIMARY COLORS — concepts that even young learners could grasp. That’s when it clicked: I could build music units around the elements of music, just like she used the elements of art.
Here’s how I adapted her approach to create engaging music units
Select a notable musician or composer who will spark your students’ interest. Think about their impact, their story, and their music’s connection to your curriculum. Jazz legends, classical greats, or even contemporary artists could all fit the bill.
Start with a resource that makes the musician’s story come alive. A children’s book, a short biography video, or a well-told anecdote can serve as a great introduction. Keep it brief, age-appropriate, and engaging.
Dive into the genre or style the musician represents. Focus on a few key characteristics that are accessible to your students. For instance, with jazz, you might explore improvisation and swing rhythms. With Baroque music, you could highlight ornamentation and counterpoint.
Gather a few facts about the time period that influenced the musician or genre. Highlight connections between the music and the events or culture of the era. Bonus points if you can tie this to what students are learning in their social studies classes.
Look at your current scope and sequence. What musical skills are you already teaching that align with the genre? Plan activities that integrate these skills into the unit. For example, if your students are learning rhythm patterns, connect them to swing rhythms in a jazz unit.
You don’t have to start at the beginning! Sometimes I began with a specific skill I needed to teach and worked backward to find a genre or musician that aligned with the skill. Other times, I started with a composer or style I wanted to highlight and built the unit from there. Flexibility is key.
I developed a jazz unit using this framework that taught rhythm, melody, and improvisation. We studied Duke Ellington’s life, explored the key characteristics of jazz, and practiced improvisation over simple 12-bar blues patterns. Students made connections between the historical context of the Harlem Renaissance and the music they were playing. It was active, engaging, and meaningful.
For ideas on specific skills that can be taught through jazz, check out this related post: Unlocking Elementary Music Skills through Jazz: Fun and Educational.
While this approach doesn’t work for every concept, it’s a fantastic way to integrate music history and composer studies into your curriculum. By focusing on the elements of music and tying them to active music-making, your students can connect with the past while building essential skills for the future.
Musically yours,
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