Kindergarten Music introduces young learners to the joy of making music through singing, rhythm, movement, and simple instruments. Students discover their singing voices, learn to match pitch, explore rhythm patterns, and begin reading basic music notation. Every lesson integrates Bible songs that reinforce Scripture memory and biblical truths, while developing foundational musical skills that honor God.
Sing in tune independently with a 6-8 note range and learn 30+ Bible songs
Read and perform simple rhythm notation (ta, ti-ti) and maintain steady beat
Identify treble clef and staff, read sol-mi notation, and play pitched percussion instruments
Move expressively to music, identify musical elements (tempo, dynamics, mood), and understand music as worship to God
Click any week to see daily lesson details.
Explore the difference between speaking voice and singing voice through playful vocal exploration and games.
Distinguish singing voice from speaking voicevocal explorationUse body movements and animal sounds to experience high and low pitches, preparing for pitch matching.
Identify and demonstrate high and low soundsmovement and soundPlay echo singing games with simple 2-3 note patterns, developing listening and pitch matching skills.
Echo simple melodic patternscall and responseLearn the first verse of 'This Little Light of Mine' with hand motions, connecting music to sharing Jesus with others.
Learn new song with limited rangesong learningPractice 'This Little Light of Mine' and discuss how we use our voices to worship God and share His love.
Sing with expression and purposeworship and discussionFeel heartbeats and discover the steady beat in music by marching, clapping, and patting to various songs.
Feel and move to steady beatmovementMarch to music maintaining steady beat, learning to keep the pulse without speeding up or slowing down.
Maintain steady beat independentlymovement gameUse body percussion (clapping, patting, stomping) to play the beat while listening to music.
Perform beat using body percussionhands-onLearn 'He's Got the Whole World' while clapping the steady beat, celebrating God's care for all creation.
Sing and keep beat simultaneouslysong learningAdd verses to the song (you and me, brothers and sisters) and discuss how God cares for each person.
Expand song repertoire and expressionworship and creativityExplore dynamic levels (volume) through speaking and singing at different volumes, learning forte and piano.
Identify and produce loud and soft soundsvocal explorationPlay instruments at different dynamic levels, practicing control and listening to match the leader's volume.
Control dynamics on instrumentsinstrument playExperience crescendo (getting louder) and decrescendo (getting softer) through movement and singing.
Perform gradual dynamic changesmovement and singingLearn 'Oh Be Careful Little Eyes' with motions, singing verses about what we see, hear, say, and do for Jesus.
Learn song with character applicationsong learningPractice the song with dynamic variety and discuss how we make choices that please God in what we see and hear.
Apply dynamics expressivelyworship and discussionMove to music at different tempos, learning the concepts of fast and slow through playful movement activities.
Identify and respond to tempo changesmovement gamePlay instruments at various speeds, maintaining steady beat whether moving quickly or slowly.
Maintain beat at different temposinstrument playDance to music and freeze when it stops, developing listening skills and beat awareness with tempo changes.
Listen and respond to musical cuesgameLearn 'The B-I-B-L-E' song, celebrating God's Word as the foundation for our faith and life.
Learn song with spelling and rhythmsong learningPractice the song at different tempos and discuss why the Bible is our guide and how it stands forever.
Sing at varied tempos with understandingworship and applicationDiscover patterns in everyday life and music, clapping simple patterns and recognizing repeated sounds.
Identify same and different patternsexplorationExperience the difference between long sounds (ta) and short sounds (ti-ti) through movement and clapping.
Distinguish between note lengthsrhythm explorationEcho and create simple rhythm patterns using ta and ti-ti, building rhythm vocabulary through play.
Echo and perform rhythm patternscall and responseLearn the classic song 'Jesus Loves Me,' focusing on pitch accuracy and the comforting truth of God's love.
Sing with accurate pitch and expressionsong learningAdd clapping patterns to 'Jesus Loves Me' and discuss how we know Jesus loves us through Scripture.
Coordinate singing with rhythm patternsintegration and worshipIntroduce the music staff as five lines where notes live, exploring the concept through visual and tactile activities.
Identify the five-line staffintroductionLearn about the treble clef symbol and practice drawing it in the air and on paper, making it memorable and fun.
Recognize treble clefhands-onDiscover that notes can sit on lines or in spaces, using movement to show placement on the staff.
Understand note placement conceptsmovement and visualLearn the story song of Zacchaeus who climbed a tree to see Jesus, incorporating climbing motions and enthusiasm.
Learn narrative Bible songsong learningSing about how Jesus saw Zacchaeus and sees each of us, connecting the story to God's personal love for every child.
Express meaning through singingworship and applicationMeet sol and mi, the first two notes we learn to read, using hand signs and singing simple patterns.
Identify sol and mi by soundintroductionLearn Curwen hand signs for sol and mi, using them to show pitch direction while singing patterns.
Perform hand signs for sol-mikinesthetic learningSee sol and mi written on the music staff, connecting the visual symbol to the sound and hand sign.
Read sol and mi on staffmusic literacySing 'Rain, Rain, Go Away' and identify sol-mi patterns in the melody, using hand signs while singing.
Apply sol-mi reading to songsong analysisCompose simple two-note melodies using sol and mi, taking turns creating musical phrases.
Improvise with sol-micreativityExplore unpitched percussion instruments, learning proper technique and how to play with control and care.
Play unpitched percussion correctlyinstrument explorationDiscover pitched instruments like bells and xylophones, learning that they play different notes like our voices.
Distinguish pitched from unpitched instrumentslistening and playingFind and play sol and mi on resonator bells or xylophone, connecting reading skills to instrument playing.
Play sol-mi on pitched instrumentshands-onLearn 'I've Got Peace Like a River' with motions for peace, love, and joy, celebrating the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Learn song with cumulative versessong learningAdd instruments to accompany the song and discuss Psalm 150's call to praise God with instruments.
Accompany singing with instrumentsensemble and worshipLearn that 'ta' represents one steady beat, clapping and saying 'ta' while reading simple rhythm patterns.
Read and perform ta (quarter note)rhythm literacyDiscover 'ti-ti' as two sounds on one beat, practicing the difference between ta and ti-ti through games.
Read and perform ti-ti (eighth notes)rhythm practiceRead simple four-beat patterns combining ta and ti-ti, performing them with clapping and instruments.
Read mixed rhythm patternsmusic literacyLearn the action song 'Father Abraham,' celebrating that we are all children of God through faith.
Coordinate singing with actionssong learningPerform the song with full-body movements and discuss Abraham's faith and God's promises to His children.
Energetic singing with movementworship and movementListen to different pieces and identify whether they sound happy or sad, connecting mood to musical elements.
Identify mood in musiclisteningExperience major (happy) and minor (sad) sounds through simple melodies, moving and drawing to express the mood.
Distinguish major and minor tonalitylistening and movementPractice singing the same melody with happy and sad expressions, learning how we communicate feelings through music.
Sing with expressive variationvocal expressionLearn 'If You're Happy and You Know It' with traditional and new verses, expressing joy through music and action.
Learn interactive songsong learningDiscuss how we can bring all our feelings to God in worship, whether we're happy, sad, or anything in between.
Connect emotion to worshipworship and discussionPractice active listening skills through musical games, learning to focus attention and follow musical directions.
Develop active listeninglistening gameListen to pairs of musical phrases and identify whether they are the same or different, developing discrimination skills.
Distinguish same and different phraseslistening analysisListen to a short piece and follow along with a visual map showing the form, connecting sound to structure.
Follow musical form visuallylistening and visualLearn the song about the wise and foolish builders, using motions to show the house standing or falling.
Learn song with contrasting sectionssong learningDiscuss how obeying Jesus' words is like building on a strong foundation, connecting the parable to our lives.
Apply biblical truth through songworship and applicationLearn that composers write music and that we can be composers too, exploring what it means to create.
Understand composition conceptintroductionCreate a four-beat rhythm pattern using ta and ti-ti, performing it for others and teaching them to play it.
Compose simple rhythm patterncreativityCompose a short melody using only sol and mi, singing it with hand signs and playing it on bells.
Compose simple melodycreativityLearn 'Deep and Wide' with large gestures showing the vastness of God's love that we cannot measure.
Sing with expressive gesturessong learningAdd motions for the fountain flowing deep and wide, celebrating how God's love never runs out or runs dry.
Coordinate complex movements with singingworship and movementExplore how people in the Bible danced to worship God, moving freely to express joy and praise through music.
Move expressively to musicmovementUse scarves or ribbons to show musical phrases, moving smoothly or sharply to match the music's character.
Express musical qualities through movementcreative movementMatch movement types to different musical styles, learning how rhythm and tempo suggest different motions.
Match movement to musical stylemovement explorationLearn the spiritual about Joshua and Jericho, marching and showing the walls falling when God gave victory.
Learn song with narrative movementsong learningAct out the story while singing, discussing how God is powerful and fights our battles when we trust Him.
Integrate movement and biblical truthworship and dramaPractice singing short phrases alone with confidence, learning that each voice is special and valuable.
Sing independently without supportsolo singingSing with a partner, learning to listen and blend voices, taking turns with solo and duet sections.
Sing with another personduet practiceSing as a group (family or class), experiencing how many voices create a fuller, richer sound together.
Sing in unison with groupensemble singingLearn the encouraging song about how God continues to work in our lives, shaping us to be more like Jesus.
Learn song with theological depthsong learningDiscuss how God is patient with us as we grow and learn, celebrating that He never gives up on His children.
Apply biblical truth personallyworship and discussionListen to string instruments (violin, cello) and learn how they make sound by bowing or plucking strings.
Identify string instrument soundslisteningDiscover brass instruments (trumpet, trombone) and how they make bright, bold sounds by buzzing lips into a mouthpiece.
Identify brass instrument soundslisteningExplore woodwind instruments (flute, clarinet) and how they create sound by blowing air across or through reeds.
Identify woodwind instrument soundslisteningLearn the hymn celebrating all of God's creation praising Him, from the sun and moon to fire and wind.
Learn hymn with varied versessong learningSing the hymn while imagining different instruments playing, discussing how all creation declares God's glory.
Sing with understanding of textworship and imaginationReview and perform favorite songs learned so far, celebrating progress in pitch matching and expression.
Demonstrate singing growthperformancePlay rhythm reading games reviewing ta and ti-ti patterns, showing mastery of basic rhythm notation.
Read rhythm patterns fluentlygameRead, sing, and play sol-mi patterns on instruments, demonstrating understanding of first pitch reading skills.
Apply sol-mi knowledgeassessmentPlay all available instruments in a group performance, showing proper technique and ensemble skills.
Perform in ensemblegroup performanceHost a mini-concert for family members, performing songs and demonstrating skills learned in the first half of the year.
Perform with confidencecelebrationLearn the note la, which sits above sol, practicing the new hand sign and singing sol-mi-la patterns.
Identify la by sound and hand signintroductionSee where la lives on the music staff above sol and mi, reading simple three-note patterns.
Read la on staffmusic literacySing and read familiar songs that use sol-mi-la, connecting the new note to known melodies.
Apply sol-mi-la readingsong analysisLearn 'Hot Cross Buns' using sol-mi-la, singing with hand signs and playing on bells or xylophone.
Perform sol-mi-la melodysong learningCompose short melodies using sol, mi, and la, sharing creations and playing them for each other.
Compose with three pitchescreativityDiscover how rounds work by singing the same song starting at different times, creating harmony.
Understand round conceptintroductionSing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' in a simple two-part round, learning to stay on your part.
Sing simple roundpart singingPractice maintaining your part in a round while hearing another part, developing independence and ear training.
Maintain independent partensemble practiceLearn 'Make New Friends' round, singing about keeping old friends while making new ones, like our friendship with Jesus.
Learn two-part roundsong learningPerform the round successfully and discuss how different parts create beautiful harmony, like how we work together in God's family.
Perform round with expressionperformance and discussionDiscover that silence is part of music, playing freeze games and learning that rests are as important as sounds.
Understand the value of restsexplorationLearn the quarter rest symbol and how it means one beat of silence, practicing patterns with sounds and silences.
Read and perform quarter restrhythm literacyRead and perform four-beat patterns that include rests, using 'shh' or silence to show rest beats.
Perform patterns with restsrhythm practiceLearn the meditative song based on Psalm 46:10, singing softly and incorporating moments of silence.
Sing with controlled dynamicssong learningDiscuss how we need quiet times to listen to God, practicing being still and knowing He is with us.
Connect silence to spiritual practiceworship and reflectionLearn that music has sections, identifying when music repeats (A) or changes (B) through listening and movement.
Identify musical sectionslistening analysisListen to pieces in AB form, using different movements or colors to show when section A or B is playing.
Recognize AB formlistening and movementCreate simple movement sequences in AB form, performing one movement for A and a different one for B.
Create in AB formcreativityLearn the energetic song about being in the Lord's army, with verse (A) and chorus (B) sections clearly defined.
Identify form in songsong learningAdd marching and actions to show the form, discussing what it means to stand strong for Jesus.
Express form through movementworship and movementLearn proper breathing technique using the diaphragm, practicing deep breaths that support singing.
Use proper breath supporttechniqueDiscover the best posture for singing - feet flat, shoulders relaxed, head up - and why it helps our voices.
Demonstrate proper singing posturetechniquePlay games that develop breath control, like blowing feathers or sustaining long sounds on 'oo' or 'ah'.
Control breath for sustained singinggameLearn the song based on Song of Solomon 2:4, singing about God's love covering and protecting us like a banner.
Apply breath support to songsong learningSing with good posture and breath, discussing how God's love is like a banner that identifies and protects us.
Sing with proper techniqueworship and applicationExplore high and low sounds on pitched instruments, discovering that notes to the right are higher and left are lower.
Locate high and low pitches on instrumentsexplorationPlay scales and patterns moving up and down the xylophone, connecting direction to pitch.
Play ascending and descending patternshands-onPlay melodies and identify whether they move up, down, or stay the same, showing direction with hand movements.
Identify and perform melodic directionanalysis and performanceLearn the spiritual with its call-and-response structure, celebrating that God knows and remembers each of us.
Learn call-and-response songsong learningAdd simple instrument accompaniment and discuss how God knows us personally and will never forget us.
Accompany with instrumentsworship and ensembleLearn the steps of composing: planning, creating, practicing, and performing a rhythm piece.
Understand composition processintroductionCompose an eight-beat rhythm pattern using ta, ti-ti, and rest, writing it down with symbols or pictures.
Compose extended rhythm patterncreativityPractice performing the composed rhythm, choosing instruments and dynamics to make it interesting.
Refine compositionpracticeLearn the joyful praise song, singing with energy and celebrating all the reasons we praise God.
Sing with enthusiasmsong learningPerform original rhythm compositions for family, then sing praise songs together as an offering of worship.
Perform original workperformanceLearn about a famous composer (such as Vivaldi) and listen to a short piece, discussing what we hear.
Listen to classical music activelylisteningListen to music and create artwork that shows what the music makes us think or feel, connecting sound to image.
Respond to music through artcreative responseMove expressively to classical music, showing the mood, tempo, and dynamics through creative movement.
Express classical music through movementmovementLearn the hymn celebrating God's beautiful creation, singing about earth, sky, day, night, and love.
Learn hymn with multiple versessong learningConnect the hymn to classical music that celebrates nature, discussing how music helps us appreciate God's creation.
Make connections between music typesworship and discussionReview soft (piano) and loud (forte) singing and playing, learning the Italian words musicians use.
Perform piano and fortetechniqueLearn mezzo-piano (medium soft) and mezzo-forte (medium loud), practicing different dynamic levels.
Perform varied dynamic levelstechniquePerform songs and patterns that move through different dynamic levels, showing control and expression.
Control dynamic changesperformanceLearn the hymn that celebrates God as creator and sustainer of the world, singing with appropriate dynamics.
Apply dynamics to hymnsong learningSing about listening to birds, rustling grass, and all creation declaring God's glory, using dynamics to paint the picture.
Express text through dynamicsworship and expressionPractice maintaining steady beat for extended periods, playing along with recordings without speeding up or slowing down.
Maintain steady beat consistentlypracticeTake turns being the beat keeper while others add rhythm patterns, learning to lead and follow the beat.
Lead and maintain beatgameMarch while playing instruments on the beat, coordinating movement and playing simultaneously.
Coordinate marching and playingmovement and playingLearn the joyful spiritual about going to heaven, marching with strong steady beat and celebrating our future home.
Sing with steady beat and energysong learningCreate a marching parade performance with instruments, discussing what it will be like to be with Jesus forever.
Perform in parade styleperformance and worshipLearn do, the home base note below mi, practicing do-mi-sol patterns with hand signs.
Identify do by sound and hand signintroductionSee where do sits on the staff below mi, reading simple patterns with do-mi-sol-la.
Read do on staffmusic literacySing and read songs using do-mi-sol-la, expanding our reading repertoire.
Read four-note patternssong analysisLearn the African-American spiritual about Jesus' birth, singing the simple, beautiful melody with reverence.
Learn spiritual with cultural connectionsong learningDiscuss the Christmas story and why Jesus' birth is such good news, singing with joy and wonder.
Connect song to biblical narrativeworship and discussionExperience music at different tempos, learning that tempo affects the mood and feeling of music.
Identify tempo variationslistening and movementLearn that music can speed up (accelerando) or slow down (ritardando), experiencing these changes in songs.
Recognize tempo changeslisteningPractice singing and playing at different tempos, maintaining steady beat at each speed.
Perform at various tempospracticeLearn the spiritual prayer song (Kum Ba Yah means 'come by here'), singing slowly and peacefully.
Sing with slow, sustained temposong learningAdd prayer verses (someone's crying, singing, praying) and discuss how we can talk to God about everything.
Use song as prayerworship and prayerLearn that melody is the tune we sing, the main musical line that carries the song.
Identify melody in musiclisteningDraw the shape of melodies in the air and on paper, showing how they move up, down, and around.
Show melodic contourvisual representationPlay simple melodies on bells or xylophone, connecting the visual shape to the sound.
Perform melodies on instrumentshands-onLearn the spiritual about heaven and going home to be with God, singing the beautiful, flowing melody.
Sing melody with expressionsong learningDiscuss what the chariot represents and how believers look forward to heaven, singing with hope and joy.
Interpret song meaningworship and discussionReview all percussion instruments available, discussing how each has a unique sound and role.
Identify percussion instrumentsexplorationLearn how to play in an ensemble, watching a conductor and playing at the right times.
Follow conductor in ensembleensemble practiceCreate a simple percussion arrangement for a familiar song, assigning different instruments to different parts.
Arrange for percussioncreativityLearn the energetic spiritual about responding when the Holy Spirit leads us to sing, shout, and pray.
Sing with rhythmic energysong learningPerform the song with full percussion ensemble, celebrating how we respond to God's Spirit with joy.
Perform in full ensembleperformanceExplore how music expresses different emotions - joy, sadness, peace, excitement - through listening examples.
Identify emotions in musiclisteningPractice singing the same melody with different emotional expressions, learning how we communicate feelings.
Sing with varied emotional expressionvocal explorationPlay instruments to express different feelings, choosing sounds and styles that match emotions.
Express emotion through instrumentscreative playingLearn the song celebrating that Jesus loves children of every color and from every place in the world.
Sing with inclusive joysong learningDiscuss how God created people with beautiful diversity and loves each person equally, singing with celebration.
Apply biblical truth about God's loveworship and discussionAssess singing development by performing songs that show pitch accuracy, range expansion, and expression.
Demonstrate vocal growthassessmentRead sol-mi-la-do patterns from notation, showing understanding of staff, notes, and rhythms.
Demonstrate music literacyassessmentPerform complex rhythm patterns combining all learned elements, showing fluency in reading and playing.
Demonstrate rhythm literacyassessmentPlay melodies and rhythms on various instruments, showing proper technique and musical expression.
Demonstrate instrumental skillsassessmentDiscuss musical concepts learned and demonstrate listening skills by analyzing short musical examples.
Apply musical knowledgediscussion and listeningLearn that songs have words (lyrics) and music (melody), and we can create both to express our ideas.
Understand song structureintroductionChoose a simple theme (like thanking God) and write simple lyrics, thinking about rhyme and rhythm.
Create lyricscreativitySet the words to a simple melody using notes we can read and sing, creating an original song.
Compose melody for lyricscreativityLearn the simple, joyful 'Hallelu' round, singing praise to God with enthusiasm.
Sing round with energysong learningPerform original compositions and the hallelu round, celebrating that we can create music to worship God.
Perform original workperformanceDiscover that every culture has music, listening to examples from different countries and continents.
Appreciate diverse musical styleslisteningHear instruments from around the world and learn how different cultures use unique sounds in their music.
Identify world instrumentslisteningLearn and perform rhythm patterns from different cultures, experiencing how rhythm varies around the world.
Perform world rhythmshands-onRevisit the song with new verses about children from different countries, celebrating God's love for all people.
Sing with global awarenesssong learningDiscuss how people everywhere worship God in their own languages and styles, all bringing glory to Him.
Connect music to missionsworship and discussionSelect favorite songs from the year to include in a final concert, planning the order and presentation.
Plan performance programplanningPractice selected songs with focus on accuracy, expression, and confidence in preparation for performance.
Refine performance skillsrehearsalArrange instrumental accompaniments for songs, assigning parts and practicing ensemble playing.
Prepare ensemble arrangementsrehearsalDo a full run-through of the concert program, practicing entrances, exits, and stage presence.
Rehearse complete programrehearsalMake final refinements and prepare mentally and spiritually to share music as an offering of worship.
Prepare for performancerehearsal and reflectionPerform the prepared concert for family and friends, celebrating all that has been learned throughout the year.
Perform with confidence and joyperformanceReview favorite moments from the year, singing favorite songs and remembering how skills have grown.
Reflect on growthreflectionPlay favorite musical games from throughout the year, celebrating learning through fun and joy.
Enjoy music playfullygamePreview what's coming in first grade music, building excitement for continued musical growth and learning.
Anticipate future learningpreviewSing 'This Little Light of Mine' one final time, celebrating how we'll use our musical gifts to shine for Jesus.
Celebrate musical growth and purposeworship and celebrationStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!