Develop music literacy skills with engaging spring elementary music activities for all learners. Update your lesson plans with creative ideas. Some of the links on our site are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
April has many fun holidays and observances that can spark inspiration for your elementary music activities. Incorporate a few of these special observances into your lesson plans to add a cohesive framework or theme for your weekly or monthly activities. Take a peek at the dates below, freshen up your lesson plans with a few fun new activities, and “spark joy” in your classroom. And, you don’t have to observe these activities on the exact day. I’ll never tell. 😊
Sing-along books are an excellent choice for elementary music activities, especially on sub days.
Celebrate Children’s Book Day and National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2 by incorporating “Peanut Butter & Jelly,” illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, into your early elementary lessons this month. If you don’t have the book, try using a real peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a prop!
Over in the Meadow, illustrated by David A. Carter, is another beloved sing-along book. Verse 10 features beavers, making it a perfect activity for International Beaver Day on April 7. If you can’t find the book online or don’t have a physical copy, you could print out or display pictures of each animal to use as props instead.
These Printable Jazz Musician Playing Cards are fun for upper elementary music or middle school general music classrooms. The versatile decks of playing cards may be used to play any standard card game such as Memory, Go Fish, Rummy, etc.
Games work well for centers or stations, music sub plans, homeschool, and group activities. Print and laminate multiple decks for use with large groups.
Or, use the cards as collectible trading cards. One creative teacher even used them as a bulletin board and featured one musician during each class.
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There are a TON of fun storybooks about jazz and jazz musicians. Check with your school librarian or add a few titles to your collection.
