Most elementary music teachers would agree that teaching instruments of the orchestra should be a hands-on, immersive experience. In an ideal world we’d envision bringing our students on field trips to the symphony, passing around supplies like reeds and brass mouthpieces, and showcasing each instrument with a high-quality demonstration. Unfortunately, many public school music programs have limited budgets and resources. This can stand in the way of creating the enriching learning experiences we all strive forte as music teachers. Under these circumstances, digital resources, such as Teaching Instruments of the Orchestra in Elementary Music, can be a game-changer. They offer a practical solution for creating an engaging and interactive orchestra unit, helping students develop a deeper appreciation for the orchestra.
Instruments of the Orchestra – Complete Unit
Looking for a resource that will transform your orchestra unit into an exciting and interactive learning experience? The Instruments of the Orchestra – Complete Unit is exactly what you need. This comprehensive Google Slides lesson covers nineteen different orchestral instruments, providing an immersive experience for your students. The unit is packed with supplemental digital and printable materials, including note-taking sheets, labeling activities, study guides, and assessments. It’s a versatile tool for any music classroom setting.Â
The core Google Slides lesson was designed to offer high-quality visual and auditory examples for each instrument. Students can easily see and hear each instrument in action, which is crucial for learning to identify these instruments both visually and aurally.Â
Supplemental Resources to Teach Orchestra Instruments
In addition to the lesson, the unit includes a range of activities that cater to different learning styles and teaching scenarios. Whether your students have access to 1:1 devices or need printable activities, this resource provides options for both digital and printable formats. The resource includes…
    ✅ Google Slides Lesson
    ✅ Printable Labeling Worksheet
    ✅ Printable Note Taking Worksheet
    ✅ Printable Aural Listening Study Guide with QR Codes
    ✅ Printable Instrument Identification Test with Answer Key
    ✅ Printable Aural Instrument Test with Answer Key
    ✅ Digital Note Taking Sheet
    ✅ Digital Drag & Drop – Label the Strings Section!
    ✅ Digital Drag & Drop – Label the Woodwinds Section!
    ✅ Digital Drag & Drop – Label the Brass Section!
    ✅ Digital Drag & Drop – Label the Percussion Section!
    ✅ Google Form Instrument Identification Test
    ✅ Google Form Aural Instrument Test
This unit is a complete teaching package designed to give students an engaging and meaningful learning experience. Whether you’re teaching in a traditional classroom or in a remote learning environment, this resource ensures that your students receive a comprehensive introduction to the instruments of the orchestra. Ready to level-up your orchestra lessons? Click here to purchase the resource!
Instruments of the Orchestra – The Seating Plan
It’s one thing for students to be able to identify the instruments of the orchestra, and another for students to understand the structure and layout of the ensemble. In this unit students will:
- Explore traditional orchestral seating arrangements
- Investigate the historical and acoustical reasons behind orchestra seating arrangements
- Compare 18th century orchestra seating with 20th century orchestra seating
- Understand why saxophones are less commonly found in the orchestra
- Understand the role of the concertmaster and conductor
The instruments of the orchestra seating plan unit also includes digital or printable note-taking sheets, and drag and drop labeling activities. Go here to purchase the resource now!
Instruments of the Orchestra Boom Card Activities
Boom Cards are highly engaging digital task cards that create a gamified experience for elementary music students. They provide a quick and easy way to review concepts, extend a lesson, or assess student understanding. They work best on 1:1 devices but I have also had great results with projecting a deck onto my SMART Board and having the students take turns. Read more here about how to use boom cards as teaching resources in elementary music class.
Below are some engaging boom card decks that can be used to teach, review and assess the sights and sounds of the orchestra.
- Instruments of the Orchestra Name the Instrument!
- Instruments of the Orchestra Fill-in-the-Blank
- Instruments of the Orchestra Aural Identification
- Instruments of the Orchestra Families Labeling Drag & Drop
- Instruments of the Orchestra Seating Puzzle Game
- Instruments of the Orchestra Seating Multiple Choice
Orchestra Seating Activities on Easel
In these TPT easel activities, elementary music students will practice sorting instruments into families and labeling sections of the orchestra seating chart through drag & drop and labeling activities. For best experience, 1:1 devices are recommended for students completing TPT Easel activities.
Teaching the instruments of the orchestra can be a long unit, but with the right tools, it can also be an engaging learning experience for your students. These digital resources offer a solution for review, lesson extension, and assessment. You can also purchase the full Instruments of the Orchestra Bundle which includes two comprehensive lessons and all of the resources above by clicking here. Lastly, by incorporating these digital tools into your teaching, you’ll create a comprehensive magical learning experience that will help shape your students’ love for music and the orchestra.