TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Mar 16, 2025
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Amazon Music: Careers Behind the Beats - Amazon
Grades
6 to 12
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Discover how computer science powers everything from recording music in the studio to streaming songs through apps like Amazon Music. Learn about careers like music producers, engineers,...more
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Discover how computer science powers everything from recording music in the studio to streaming songs through apps like Amazon Music. Learn about careers like music producers, engineers, and app developers--all through an interactive, game-like experience on Kahoot! Get ready to explore the tech behind the tunes and see how you can combine creativity and coding for a future in music!
tag(s): careers (141), engineering (127), producers (6), STEM (290)
In the Classroom
Host an interactive Kahoot! quiz based on careers in music technology, engaging students in competition, and learning from the free library of games. Extend learning by having students create a simple music-themed app or website using beginner-friendly coding tools like Scratch, reviewed here to combine creativity and programming. Students can also research a specific tech-related role in the music industry (e.g., sound engineer or app developer) and present their findings in small groups.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Noodle Loaf - Dan Saks
Grades
K to 4
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Noodle Loaf is an interactive podcast incorporating music education with art, rhythm, and social awareness. Each episode is approximately fifteen minutes or less and is available to...more
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Noodle Loaf is an interactive podcast incorporating music education with art, rhythm, and social awareness. Each episode is approximately fifteen minutes or less and is available to listen to on the website or save on a Spotify playlist.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): listening (93), podcasts (105), preK (269), rhythm (20), social and emotional learning (100)
In the Classroom
Include this podcast with others for use at listening centers as an engaging way to develop listening and comprehension skills. Find many other suggestions for podcasts at TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Educational Podcasts for Students, reviewed here. Ask students to share their favorite podcasts; after reviewing their suggestions, use a curation tool such as 3x3 Links, reviewed here to share ideas on classroom computers and with parents on your class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Soundraw - Soundraw Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Soundraw uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate music based on your choices of mood, genre, and length. Select "Create Music" to begin, and choose the length of your creation,...more
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Soundraw uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate music based on your choices of mood, genre, and length. Select "Create Music" to begin, and choose the length of your creation, tempo, genre, and mood. Soundraw generates a playlist of tunes based on your selected options; continue creating music by choosing a song you like and developing a similar piece. For free use you can compose music, but if you don't have a paid subscription, you won't be able to download or monetize AI-generated songs.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (170), blues (22), jazz (16), rhythm (20)
In the Classroom
Use Soundraw to create music in different genres/styles like classical, pop, jazz, and more. Then, compare and discuss how the AI interprets different styles. Generate music in historical styles like Baroque, Romantic era, 1890s ragtime, and others to include with lessons in social studies class or as an extension activity with novels set in different times. Use the songs during creative writing times. Share Soundraw with students to use when creating multimedia projects such as podcasts created with Buzzsprout, reviewed here or as a background for a video presentation created using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Virtual Online Piano Keyboard - muted.io
Grades
K to 12
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Practice piano and keyboarding skills online with the Virtual Online Piano Keyboard, which includes several options for customization. Select from three choices for range, display all...more
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Practice piano and keyboarding skills online with the Virtual Online Piano Keyboard, which includes several options for customization. Select from three choices for range, display all notes, c-notes, or no notes, colorize keys, and highlight scales.
tag(s): musical instruments (50), musical notation (34)
In the Classroom
Virtual Musical Instruments open the world of music to students who may not have access to an instrument at home. In your music class, offer the virtual piano as an option for students to learn about notes and scales without having access to a real piano. Allow your students to make their compositions to share with their peers. Challenge them to determine how to give the directions for their design to another person so they can repeat the original piece. Begin using the virtual piano with the names of notes displayed, then challenge students to begin playing without note labels. Ask students to use a screen recording tool such as Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here to demonstrate their ability to play scales or short compositions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Magical Music Theory - muted.io
Grades
K to 12
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Magical Music Theory offers many interactive tools to learn about music theory through various options. Scroll through the homepage to begin with many different tools to learn about...more
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Magical Music Theory offers many interactive tools to learn about music theory through various options. Scroll through the homepage to begin with many different tools to learn about music theory, including a Circle of Fifth Chart, Lil Beat Maker, and a Voice Tuner. The tools offer resources specific to piano and guitar, followed by interactive resources for learning about chords. Select any resource to find a short explanation of the tool and directions for use.
tag(s): music theory (45), musical instruments (50), musical notation (34)
In the Classroom
Include this site with your other classroom resources for teaching about music. Share a link to the site or specific resources with students as a supplement to your current lessons. Consider using Wakelet, reviewed here to curate and share resources with students. For example, use the column feature in Wakelet to add content organized into categories by topics such as scales, chords, and instruments or categorize information by type of content, including interactives, videos, and articles. Extend learning by asking students to demonstrate their understanding of music theory topics by creating videos with Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Treks: Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 3
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Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based on Susan Hood's book Ada's Violin. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed...more
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Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based on Susan Hood's book Ada's Violin. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed here as the basis for a virtual journey that tells how music transformed the lives of children and teens living on the edge of a landfill just outside Paraguay's capital city. Activities correlate to Common Core Standards, National Standards for Social Studies and Visual Arts, and Social Justice Standards. In addition to teaching ideas for working with the map, this Reading Trek also includes extension activities and links to additional helpful resources.
tag(s): musical instruments (50), preK (269), recycling (45)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many lesson ideas in the Teachers' Guide to bring this story to life and provide activities that correlate with the book's theme of recycling and reusing materials. As students read the book, create a timeline of events using a simple timeline creation tool such as the one provided by Read, Write, Think, reviewed here to help students follow the sequence of events in the story. After engaging students in learning by creating recycled instruments, have students write and record a short soundtrack to accompany the story. Share boomy, reviewed here with students to create and record music from their computers using virtual tools.
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Comments
Great resource to engage students in reading!Kelly, IN, Grades: 0 - 5
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All That Jazz: Exploring Jazz Music - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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All That Jazz is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here. As an introduction, this article includes background...more
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All That Jazz is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here. As an introduction, this article includes background knowledge of the origins and history of jazz. The activities section includes an extensive list of picture books about jazz and several ideas for classroom activities. The extension activities provide additional ideas for introducing jazz into classroom lessons, such as integrating the study of jazz into lessons about the Cold War and Civil Rights. Content in this article includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (166), civil rights (201), cold war (30), jazz (16)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this article's many book ideas and activities to introduce students to jazz and its performers. Find more jazz activities at Jazz by BrainPop, reviewed here, which includes complete lesson plans for several grade levels or have students explore the interactive found at the Roots of Jazz, reviewed here that shares information about the roots of jazz in the US.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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You Can't Play a Symphony Alone: Instruments of the Orchestra - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6
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You Can't Play a Symphony Alone is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and shares book suggestions...more
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You Can't Play a Symphony Alone is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and shares book suggestions and activities that teach students about the orchestra's instruments. The article begins with background knowledge sharing information about each of the orchestra's different sections. The shared activities include book suggestions, online resources, and suggested lessons to extend student understanding of the instruments and music of orchestras. A final extension activity suggestion shares a creative proposal for students to reimagine a new musical story following the reading of Peter and the Wolf. Content in this article includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (166), musical instruments (50)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this article's book suggestions and activities to teach students about the orchestra's instruments using literature connections. Include these activities as part of larger units of study about music, find more ideas at Music Speaks, Music Appreciation in Literature, reviewed here. As students explore and create music through different methods, use a video recording resource such as Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here to record and share their creations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Music Speaks: Music Appreciation in Literature - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Music Speaks is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities that...more
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Music Speaks is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities that support the study of music through picture books and hands-on activities. The article begins with background information that discusses the different meanings of music appreciation. Following that section is a list of picture books and activities to integrate music into classroom lessons. The final section of this article provides extension activities that encourage students to create and share music through podcasts and online resources. Content on this site includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.
tag(s): book lists (166), music theory (45), musical instruments (50)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many book suggestions and activity ideas to include music in any content area. Not only does it encourage music appreciation, but it also provides options to engage students using music, the universal language. Encourage students learning to play instruments to share their skills with their peers to support their musical endeavors and ideas for classmates on becoming involved with music.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Beethoven Beats - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
3 to 12
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Google Arts and Culture has created a fun, interactive way to explore Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas. Start by tapping a rhythm on your space bar, and the program ...more
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Google Arts and Culture has created a fun, interactive way to explore Ludwig van Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas. Start by tapping a rhythm on your space bar, and the program finds one of Beethoven's sonatas that matches their beat. After your rhythm is matched, you can further explore the sonata by listening to the entire piece, zooming in or out of the visual representation of the rhythm. Google Arts and Culture has a free downloadable teacher guide that includes over 50 pages of lessons and teaching ideas.
tag(s): composers (14), musical instruments (50), rhythm (20)
In the Classroom
Share this engaging interactive with students to introduce the concept of rhythm and classical music to students. Include this activity as part of a unit on composers or orchestras. Visit the TeachersFirst resource, You You Can't Play a Symphony Alone, reviewed here for many book suggestions and activities to include in your unit. Challenge students to explore rhythm further using Rhythmn Trainer, reviewed here, that provides activities to teach various rhythm sequences. As a final activity, ask students to create and teach rhythms to their peers. Record and share students' rhythm presentations using SchoolTube, reviewed here, or Screenpal, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Music Games - Crazy Games
Grades
K to 12
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Experiment and interact with music and music theory through the many different games shared on this site. Play a virtual trombone, try playing a song with Rhythm Race, or test ...more
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Experiment and interact with music and music theory through the many different games shared on this site. Play a virtual trombone, try playing a song with Rhythm Race, or test your knowledge with Song Trivia. Select any game from the thumbnail offerings to begin. Some games include tutorial activities and options for multiplayer games. Some games direct players toward other sites; check before sharing with students.
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tag(s): game based learning (193), musical instruments (50), rhythm (20), trivia (19)
In the Classroom
Before sharing these games with students or including them on classroom computers, demonstrate how to identify and avoid ads in some games. Then, use the games to engage students in learning about different musical instruments, understanding rhythm and beat, or supplementing current music class instruction. Make it easy for students to find shared games using Symbaloo, reviewed here. Create a Symbaloo mix that links to shared games and add it as a resource on classroom computers. If students have difficulties understanding instructions, ask other students to create tutorials using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here, then share a link to the tutorial on classroom devices and your class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Music Appreciation Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Music appreciation involves introducing students to the history and various genres of music. There are many different musicians to discover and genres to enjoy. Peruse this collection...more
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Music appreciation involves introducing students to the history and various genres of music. There are many different musicians to discover and genres to enjoy. Peruse this collection to learn about musicians from different periods. This collection covers blues, jazz, classical, and other genres. Share these resources during Music In the Schools Month or any time throughout the year. This list includes resources for all grades.
tag(s): blues (22), jazz (16), music theory (45)
In the Classroom
Use these resources as you prepare music lessons related to genres, music history, and other topics. Each review includes technology integration ideas. This list includes resources for elementary and secondary students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources for Instruments and Vocal Music - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Technology offers teachers many new opportunities in music and the arts. This collection highlights resources related to instruments and vocal music. Some tools in this curated list...more
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Technology offers teachers many new opportunities in music and the arts. This collection highlights resources related to instruments and vocal music. Some tools in this curated list include virtual instruments, video tutorials, vocal instructions, and more. Share these resources during Music In the Schools Month or any other time throughout the year. Remember, our "In the Classroom" suggestions give you ideas about using these tools in your classroom.
tag(s): music theory (45), musical instruments (50), musical notation (34)
In the Classroom
Help to deepen your students' understanding of vocal music and instruments using this curated collection. Share these resources with your colleagues and students by emailing the page or sharing the link from your school web page and in your school newsletter. Find resources to incorporate into your music lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachRock - Rock and Roll Forever Foundation
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
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Rock your lessons using popular music and pop culture to engage students. The standards-aligned lessons provide interdisciplinary connections using music as the starting point for in-depth...more
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Rock your lessons using popular music and pop culture to engage students. The standards-aligned lessons provide interdisciplinary connections using music as the starting point for in-depth explorations and guided activities. Use the search feature to find lessons and collections sorted by subject, music genre, type of activity, and topic. Subjects range from Civics to CTE to STEAM to Art/Design and many others. Each lesson begins with an essential question and includes procedures, student handouts, and videos.
tag(s): artists (83), cross cultural understanding (172), dance (31), empathy (33), jazz (16), musical instruments (50), social and emotional learning (100), sociology (23), STEM (290)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free lessons to find standards-based lessons and activities for many content areas. Encourage students to find additional examples of connections to history (or another subject) made with pop music and pop culture. Use Padlet, reviewed here to curate and share ideas and resources. Add your own resources to create interactive presentations using NearPod, reviewed here or Pear Deck, reviewed here. Include videos, animations, quizzes, and more as part of your presentation. Extend student learning by asking them to create podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here to tell the story of how music and pop culture influenced different historical events.
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