Music Makers Lesson Plan
Preschool (Age 4) • Creative Arts
Little Music Makers Lesson Plan
Novice Teacher Guide
Pacing: 25–30 Minutes
Target Standard: TN-ELDS CA.37-48.1
"Enjoy participating in group music activities and music making activities."
Four-year-olds express musical pleasure through spontaneous vocalizations, coordinated rhythmic movement, instrument handling, and responsive joyful imitation in a peer community.
The Big Idea
"Music lets our whole bodies play, celebrate, and connect together!"
Success = active, smiling engagement, not flawless pitch or rhythm.
What 4-Year-Olds Will Demonstrate Today (I-Can Goals)
1. Move to the Beat
Clap, tap knees, and stomp feet in synchronous group movement games.
2. Mix Voice & Shakers
Sing repetitive call-and-response phrases while playing egg shakers.
3. Stop & Go Control
Freeze body and silence shaker on audio cue ("Statue freeze!").
Materials Checklist
- Egg Shakers or Maracas: 1 per child + 2 teacher spares in a lidded basket.
- Visual Prompt Cards: 8 cards (Clap, Stomp, Freeze, Shaker, Fast, Slow, Loud, Quiet).
- Seating Spots: Sit spots or carpet circle markers (keeps boundaries clear).
- Rhythm Stick or Drum: For teacher beat signaling (optional, hands work too).
Novice Teacher Golden Rules (Read First!)
1. Hide the Basket Until Instrument Time:
Keep egg shakers tucked behind you until Step 3. Preschoolers cannot resist open instrument baskets.
2. Rest Position is Magic:
Teach "Eggs in the nest!" (hands folded in lap with shaker inside). Practice this 3 times before making sound.
3. Whisper to Quiet the Room:
Never shout over 4-year-olds drumming. Drop your voice to a dramatic whisper; they will hush to hear you.
TN-ELDS Creative Arts Standard CA.37-48.1 • Early Childhood Music Curriculum Page 1 of 3: Foundations & Preparation
Classroom Delivery
Step-by-Step Teaching Guide (25 Minutes)
Paced for 4-Year-Old Attention Spans
1
Gathering & Heartbeat Rhythm (4 Minutes)
Circle Warm-Up
Transition children to carpet sit-spots. Establish a steady, gentle baseline pulse using body percussion.
Teacher Script & Chant (Sing to tune of "Farmer in the Dell"):
"Come make a music ring, come make a music ring!
Pat your knees and clap your hands, let’s make the music sing!
Can you feel your musical heartbeat? Thump-thump, thump-thump! Pat your knees like me!"
Novice Tip: If a child refuses to sit, do not stop. Keep patting your knees enthusiastically; curiosity pulls 4-year-olds into rhythmic movement faster than verbal commands.
2
Move to Music: Gross-Motor Beat Safari (8 Minutes)
Gross Motor & Auditory Response
Children stand on their spots and explore tempo (fast/slow) and full-body movement cues while holding up visual prompt cards.
Part A: Animal Movements
• Elephant Stomp: Slow heavy footsteps on the steady beat.
• Mouse Tiptoe: Fast tiny high steps on toes.
• Bunny Hops: Two-footed bounces on the accents.
Part B: The Freeze Statue Game
Teacher sings: "We dance and we dance and we dance and we... FREEZE!" Hold the freeze for 3 seconds of silent giggles, then release with a silly wobble.
Teacher Script:
"Look at my card! What animal is this? A turtle! Turtles move so slooooow. Let’s sway like tall seaweed in the ocean slow... Now look! A cheetah! Fast flutter fingers in the sky!"
3
Mix It Up: Singing + Movement + Shakers (10 Minutes)
Core TN-ELDS Experience
Distribute egg shakers smoothly using a 2-step routine. Combine directional words with rhythm making.
Song Routine: "Shake Your Shakers" (Tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")
Verse 1: "Shake your shaker way up high in the sky! (sh-sh-shake!)"
Verse 2: "Shake your shaker way down low near your toes! (sh-sh-shake!)"
Verse 3: "Shake it in a giant circle all around! (whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!)"
Verse 4: "Now put your egg inside its quiet nest! (shhh... freeze in lap!)"
Loud vs. Soft Contrast:
Whisper-shake like falling autumn leaves; crescendo to giant roaring dinosaur shaking!
Collection Chant:
"Eggs go sleeping in the box, 1, 2, 3! Thank you, friends, for sharing with me!"
TN-ELDS Creative Arts Standard CA.37-48.1 • Early Childhood Music Curriculum Page 2 of 3: Active Music Making Steps
Reflection & Adaptations
Cool-Down, Differentiation & Assessment
Ready to Teach
4
Vocal Cool-Down & Transition (3 Minutes)
Calm Energy Reset
High-energy music must transition smoothly into quiet center time or storytime. Use a descending humming lullaby.
Teacher Routine:
"Hands on heart. Feel that music beat slowing down? Let's take a deep bumblebee breath in through the nose... and hum it out: Mmmmmmm. One more soft hum... Now tiptoe back to your table like gentle musical snowflakes."
Novice Teacher Field Guide: Real Classroom Scenarios
Scenario A: A child throws or bangs the shaker on another child.
Quick Fix: Calmly say, "Shakers are for shaking in the air, not for knocking. Let’s shake together in our lap." If they throw it again, hold it for one verse: "Your shaker is taking a 1-minute nap. You can use your clapping hands!"
Scenario B: A child hangs back, covers ears, or refuses to join the circle.
Quick Fix: Never force physical circle entry. Allow them to sit 3 feet back in a cozy beanbag with a plush toy. Watching and listening IS valid early participation under TN-ELDS CA.37-48.1.
Scenario C: The entire group gets over-excited and starts screaming during the song.
Quick Fix: Do not shout "BE QUIET!" Instead, instantly freeze like an ice statue with eyes wide open and shaker frozen high. Drop into a tiny whisper: "Can you hear the mouse sleeping?" Children will copy your freeze.
Multilingual & Sensory Support
- • Visual Gestures: Exaggerate physical hand motions and hold up the picture prompt card before changing tempos.
- • Dual-Language Welcome: Sing greeting in child's home language (e.g., "Hola amigos", "Hello friends").
- • Sensory Sensitive: Provide silk scarves instead of loud plastic shakers for tactile, silent movement.
Assessment at a Glance (CA.37-48.1)
Evaluate using the accompanying Music Joy Observation Tracker:
Level 1: Emerging
Observes, stays nearby
Level 2: Developing
Claps/shakes with cue
Level 3: Joyful Lead
Smiles, sings, stops/goes
TN-ELDS Creative Arts Standard CA.37-48.1 • Early Childhood Music Curriculum Page 3 of 3: Adaptations & Management
Rhythm Safari Prompt Cards
Rhythm Safari Prompt Cards
Visual cues for 4-year-old circle time music & movement
Print & Cut (8 Cards)
Hold up during music to guide children
Beat Maker
Clap Hands!
Clap hands together to the steady beat!
Big Beat
Stomp Feet!
Heavy elephant steps: 1, 2, 3, 4!
Instrument Play
Shake Shakers!
Shake high, shake low, make crisp rhythms!
Stop Cue
Freeze Statue!
Silence sound & freeze your body like ice!
Tempo: Fast
Fast Cheetah!
Quick flutter shakes and speedy taps!
Tempo: Slow
Slow Turtle!
Gentle swaying, long stretched beats.
Dynamics: Loud
Loud Lion!
Big, bold shakes & robust singing voices!
Dynamics: Soft
Quiet Mouse!
Whisper shakes and soft tiptoe pats.
How to Use During the Lesson: Mount cards on popsicle sticks or punch a hole and keep on a binder ring. Simply flash the card high in the air without speaking; 4-year-olds love the game of guessing and matching the motion immediately!
TN-ELDS Creative Arts Standard CA.37-48.1 • Movement Visual Prompts Sheet 1: Movement & Expression Cards
Circle Time Song Strips
Display on easel or pocket chart for guided call & response
Easel Display Ready
A
Song 1: Shake Your Shakers! (Tune: "If You're Happy")
Mix It Up Main Event
Up High!
Reach for the clouds & shake!
Down Low!
Tap by your toes & shake!
All Around!
Big circular wheel motion!
In the Nest!
Hands in lap & shhh!
B
Song 2: The Rhythm Train (Chant & Movement)
Tempo Explorer
Slow Train: "Chug... chug... chug... chug..." (Slow knee pats) 🐢 Slow
Medium Train: "Chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga!" (Brisk clapping) 🚶 Medium
Express Train: "TOOT-TOOT! FREEZE ON THE TRACKS!" (Stop still!) 🛑 Freeze!
Our 3 Musical Shaker Promises (Say Together Before Playing)
1 Gentle Hands
Hold with two fingers or palm; no throwing!
2
Music Joy Observation Tracker
Music Joy Observation Tracker
TN-ELDS Creative Arts Standard CA.37-48.1 • Preschool Formative Assessment
Whole-Class Roster
Date: _______________
Assessment Target: CA.37-48.1
"Enjoy participating in group music activities and music making activities."
C Consistently (Independent) P Progressing (With Prompt) E Emerging (Observing)
| Child's Name | 1. Joy & Smile
Expresses fun | 2. Body Rhythm
Claps / stomps | 3. Shaker Play
Up / low / safe | 4. Freeze Cue
Stops on sound | Anecdotal Notes & Next Steps |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 2. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 3. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 4. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 5. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 6. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 7. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 8. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 9. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 10. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 11. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
| 12. | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | C • P • E | |
Novice Teacher Assessment Advice:
Remember that 4-year-olds develop musical confidence at different paces. A child who sits peacefully watching peers and smiling is meeting standard CA.37-48.1. Document joyful participation first, physical precision second!
TN-ELDS Standard CA.37-48.1 • Early Childhood Assessment Page 1: Group Observation Roster
Music at Home Family Note
Bridging classroom music making with home learning
Take-Home Page
I Am a Joyful Music Maker!
Today, _______________________________ clapped the beat, danced like safari animals, and made music with egg shakers in our preschool class!
Draw your favorite musical instrument or animal dance move here:
(Blank space for student drawing & coloring)
Dear Preschool Families,
In Tennessee, four-year-olds learn essential social and brain skills through group music activities (Standard CA.37-48.1). When children sing and move together, they develop language rhythm, motor coordination, emotional expression, and joyful peer connections.
Try these 3 easy 2-minute music games together at home:
1. Kitchen Drumming
Turn an oatmeal tub or pot upside down. Tap slow beats and fast beats with wooden spoons!
2. Clean-Up Freeze
