Educators seeking reliable, no-cost materials for classroom preparation will find a variety of free resources designed specifically for music teachers. These materials, often referred to as "sub tub stuffers," are intended to assist teachers in planning for absences by providing activities that can be implemented by non-music substitutes or used for student-led learning. The available freebies range from rhythm games and listening maps to printable worksheets and digital cards, covering topics such as composer studies, music theory, and holiday-themed lessons.
Overview of Available Free Resources
The sources indicate a strong focus on creating accessible, no-prep or low-prep activities that can be stored in a "sub tub" for emergency use. These resources are generally designed to be: * Teacher-Created: Developed by fellow educators and sold on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers. * Sub-Friendly: Suitable for non-musician substitutes to administer without specific musical expertise. * Student-Led: Activities that allow students to work independently or in groups, often requiring minimal direction.
Printable Worksheets and Activity Sets
Several free resources are available as printable PDFs or worksheets suitable for K-5 music classrooms. * Rhythm and Theory Worksheets: One source offers "High/Low Ready, Set, Print worksheet samples" and "Candy Corn Rhythm Races" for practicing dotted quarter-eighth patterns. Another mentions a "Music Word Search" activity covering terms such as sixteenth note, eighth note, quarter note, half note, whole note, staff, measure, repeat, barline, natural, flat, treble clef, bass clef, and corresponding rests. * Composer Studies: Free materials are available for composer units, specifically mentioning Tchaikovsky and Irving Berlin. The Irving Berlin resource is described as a lesson for grades 2-6 that includes a fact sheet and a word search puzzle, explicitly noted as suitable for a non-music sub. * General Classroom Activities: A "FREE Music Activity Set" is listed, though specific contents are not detailed in the provided text.
Digital and Interactive Resources
- Boom Cards: Several digital resources are mentioned under the category of Boom Cards. These include "BOOM CARDS™ Outer Space Note Direction," "BOOM CARDS™ Space Alien Music Symbols," "BOOM CARDS™ Spring Easter Chick Music Symbols," "BOOM CARDS™ Easter Bunny Music Symbols Reveal Puzzle," and "BOOM CARDS™ HoneyBee." These are generally compatible with Google Classroom and offer interactive, no-prep activities.
- Editable Templates: An "editable music choice board template" is noted as a tool for engaging students in distance learning or as a low-prep sub plan.
Holiday and Seasonal Freebies
- Holiday Rhythm Games: A free holiday rhythm game is available, described as adaptable for grades 1 through 6. It includes rhythm flashcards and game posters. The source notes that these games are "student led" and "easy to use in your sub tub." It references a "Free Holiday Beat and Rhythm activity" available in a free resource library.
- Seasonal Bundles: While the freebies listed are specific, one source mentions a larger "ALL SEASONS Music SUB TUB Bundle" which includes Spring, Summer, and Winter music sub plans.
Specific Freebie Examples and Themes
The provided text highlights specific freebies offered by teacher-authors: * "Tchaikovsky Staggered Book Freebie" by Rhythm & Bloom: Designed for a 3rd-grade Nutcracker unit and suitable for a sub tub. * "Personages with Long Ears Listening Map" by Cowgirl Compositions: An animated listening map featuring donkeys, requiring the user to insert their own sound file. * "Toad"ally Awesome Music Awards" by Music with Sara Bibee: Classroom awards. * "Freeze Dance Freebie": A game mentioned as suitable for sub tubs. * "Guido d’Arezzo plan" and "Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin" plans: Part of the "Sub Tub Stuffers" line by Pitch Publications (Shelley Tomich). * "Music or Not" series: Specifically "Opera or Cheese?" by Melissa Stouffer, a game played on an interactive whiteboard or printed.
Utilization and Storage
The concept of the "sub tub" is emphasized as a necessary preparation tool for music teachers. The resources are designed to be: * Low Tech: Many printable activities require no technology, suitable for situations without internet or device access. * No Prep: Resources like the holiday rhythm game are described as fast to prepare—print and use the same day. * Differentiated: Some resources, such as "Differentiated Music Rhythm and Listening" worksheets, are designed for K-3 levels.
Conclusion
The available free resources for music teachers provide a robust collection of materials for emergency sub plans and daily classroom activities. From printable rhythm worksheets and composer word searches to digital Boom Cards and interactive listening maps, these freebies address the need for sub-friendly, student-led, and no-prep resources. Educators can access these materials through platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers and specific teacher-author blogs to build a comprehensive "sub tub" capable of supporting music education during teacher absences.