Music National Content Standard #1

The first National Standard for Music Education is, "Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music." Browse these resources for ideas to improve students' singing skills. There are games and activities that build students' confidence in their voice and encourage their musical abilities. You'll also find singing ideas and lessons for primary, intermediate, and secondary school students. Use these references and lesson planning resources to develop individual and ensemble singing.

Singing References Distinguishing Speaking vs. Singing Games and activities to help students learn the difference between speaking and singing. Encouraging Individual Singing Try these games and activities to encourage individual singing. Encouraging Singing at Home and on the Playground Great tips to get kids singing outside of class. Exploring the Voice and Singing More Accurately Use activities and games to encourage students to learn variation in their singing. Gaining Confidence in Singing Excellent suggestions for how to get young students singing in class. Technology Strategies -- National Music Standard #1 These activities and strategies for music education will help you use technology in your classroom to teach singing. Suggested Titles for Song Materials A list of MENC recommended books for children's music. Selecting Song Materials Use these criteria to choose age-appropriate songs for your classes. Music Lessons & Activities Twinkle, Twinkle: Music and Curricular Connections Using children's songs, these lessons show how to teach music while meeting curriculum standards. There are activities for "It's So Good to See You", "Hello There", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", and "Who's That Tapping at the Window?". Movement and Circle Games Incorporate movement into your music lessons with these fun singing games for "The Telephone Rings", "Ring Around the Rosie", "Shoo Fly", and "Pumpkin Patch". Musical Passports: Building Musical Bridges Young children can learn to understand the organization of language by learning song lyrics. There are activities for "On the Bridge at Avignon", "Eency Weency Spider", "Grandma Moses", and "Are You Sleeping". One, Two, Buckle My Shoe: Music and Children's Literature Use children's literature to help teach music. Explore nursery rhymes with your students and make musical connections to books with these activities. Melody of Tearin' Up My Heart The melody of the *NSYNC song Tearing up My Heart is examined in detail by listening to the recording, reading sheet music, and singing the song. Harmony of Tearin' Up My Heart Learn about the harmony with *NSYNC's Tearin' Up My Heart. Creating Opera Work with students to improvise dialogue (speaking and singing), music, and scenery to turn a story into an emotional performance. Rhythm and Melodic Phrase in Little Birch Tree Students will listen to and describe the variations of a theme in a classical selection, The Little Birch Tree. Vocal Performance Ideas & Lessons Singing Ideas for Grades K-4 Students sing in groups concentrating on the expressive performance of a lullaby or familiar song. Singing Ideas for Grades 5-8 Help students sing chord progressions and perform in an ensemble.

Singing Ideas for Grades 9-12 Work with musically proficient students to develop an informal vocal performance. Singing Lesson for Grades K-4 Have students choose a familiar song and work with them to develop individual and ensemble singing. Meets National Music Standard 1. Singing Lesson for Grades 5-8 Improve students' breath control and posture with this lesson of singing exercises. Meets National Music Standard 1. Singing Lesson for Grades 9-12, Part 1 Improve students' vocal techniques while they sing a four-part round with one student on a part. Meets National Music Standard 1. Singing Lesson for Grades 9-12, Part 2 Students sing a three-part song as a class and in small ensembles. Meets National Music Standard 1. Multicultural Songs African-American Gospel Music Introduce gospel music while explaining lyrical meaning and cultural values. Appalachian Riddle Song Capture your students' attention with this lesson focusing on "The Riddle Song" to show the pentatonic scale and Appalachian culture. Austrian Yodeling Explore European Alpine culture through folk music and the yodel. Israeli Children's Songs Have students in grades 1-3 sing and compare Israeli and American songs. Traditional Circle Game from Puerto Rico Use a lesson that uses Spanish to introduce students to traditional Puerto Rican song and dance. Calypso, Calypso and Silver Moon Boat Students will sing folk songs from different ethnic origins, using stylistically appropriate articulation. Dynamics and Timbre of "Amani Utupe" Students will perform with appropriate musical dynamics and accompany the music using non-pitched percussion instruments. Indian Ragas Explore Indian ragas and learn the differences between an Indian raga and the Western scale. Related Resources National Standards for Music Education Incorporate the nine National Standards for Music Education into your curriculum. Use these resources to teach students in grades K-12 about singing, instruments, music composition, and much more! Strategies for Music Education Discover great teaching strategies for music education. Help young children learn about singing, instruments, and music composition by incorporating these lessons and techniques in your classroom. Music Resources for Teachers Bring some music into your classroom with lessons and printables! Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March, or enjoy music on a regular basis with your students.

Provided in partnership with MENC