Music Lesson Plan Template Free for Elementary Teachers

(Especially if planning drains your brain)

Looking for a free music lesson plan template that actually works in elementary classrooms?

You're in the right place.

I taught elementary music for 16 years.

And, although I truly loved making music with the kids, the lesson planning part was…

Shall we say, not my favorite?

If you’re also neurodivergent, lesson planning might feel nearly impossible.

But, have no fear!

This post shares a simple, flexible music lesson plan template made for elementary music teachers, especially those with ADHD or autism.

It’s built to reduce decision fatigue, save energy, and work with the actual rhythm of a music classroom.

Something you can reuse week to week without starting from scratch.

If you're a general ed teacher, you can likely get some ideas to try as well!

Why Lesson Planning Can Feel So Hard

But first, let's take a step back and really look at planning.

Lots of folks (including lots of neurotypicals) will tell you how planning is so important.

That if you do it consistently it will make your life easier.

And sure, planning can't hurt, and I agree it can help with some things.

(Like not forgetting key doctor's appointments).

But when you’re juggling executive dysfunction and sensory overload, it’s really just not that simple.

You might excel at improvising in the moment.

You might be well-versed at anticipating needs on the fly.

But when it comes time to write it all down and map it out?

Or worse, to hand it over to an admin?

Wow, that proverbial train wreck happens.

A reusable template doesn’t solve everything, but it gives you a good place to start.

Especially if your students are also neurodivergent, having a predictable pattern helps everyone feel more settled and focused.

Here's an audio recording for you if you prefer to listen!

What’s In This Music Lesson Plan Template

Let’s walk through what a typical elementary music lesson might look like using this format.

Feel free to adapt and rearrange based on time, your needs, student needs, and grade level.

You can also learn more about using AI lesson plan template generators.

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (About 5 Minutes)

This part starts the second your students walk in the door.

No standing around.

You want something musical to get them engaged right away.

Some ideas:

• A hello song (sing it while playing ukulele or piano)
• Movement games (follow-the-leader, body percussion)
• Rhythm echo or simple call-and-response

This gives them a familiar anchor and can lower anxiety.

And that, in turn, helps them get ready to learn.

I used to have kindergarteners follow me in a line around the carpet while we sang our hello song together.

Even though many of those classes came to me totally riled up, having the predictable anchor definitely helped.

2. Attendance Activity (2–3 Minutes)

This is a perfect spot to keep the music going while building classroom connection.

Some options:

• A “rules rap” or chant they respond to with rhythm
  
• Singing each child's name and they sing back “here” (so-mi)

You can swap the order of this and the opener if your students come in calm and focused.

I would sometimes flip it for morning classes when kids were more regulated.

3. Visual Agenda & Class Overview (1–2 Minutes)

This part is short.

Put up a slide with a visual outline of what’s coming.

Keep it minimal and predictable.

Older students can take turns reading it aloud, especially if you want to try classroom jobs.

Ask, “What questions do you have about what we're doing today?” and keep it moving.

4. Main Activity #1 (About 7 Minutes)

Transition with a practiced, non-verbal cue.

(Like raising your hand in a specific way, or playing a chime.)

Then launch into your first activity.

This could be:

• Playing instruments
• Reading rhythms or notation
• Movement or folk dance
• Singing with body percussion

Rule of thumb: match the number of activity minutes to the students’ age.

Seven-year-olds? Seven-minute activity.

Don't try to go much past that.

5. Transition + Main Activity #2 (7 Minutes)

Use another short transition cue.

Then switch it up.

If you just did movement, move to instruments.

If you were on instruments, you could switch to a listening or literacy task.

If your class is longer than 30 minutes, you might be able to squeeze in a third round.

Otherwise, by the end of the second activity, it's usually time to start winding things down.

6. Wrap-Up + Lining Up (3–5 Minutes)

Bring them back to their spots.

You’re transitioning them from music class mode to hallway mode.

Options:

• Play a designated line-up song they associate with leaving
  
• Do a quick “What did you learn today?” circle
  
• Use exit tickets (if you have time and energy)

Playing a familiar melody helps cue their nervous systems that class is ending.

And, it saves your voice!

Sample Lesson Plan Flow (30-Minute Class)

Here’s how this might look in practice:

1. Warm-Up (5 min)
   Hello song with ukulele + movement
2. Attendance Game (3 min)
   Rules rap + rhythm echo
3. Agenda Slide Review (1–2 min)
   “Here’s what we’re doing today…”
4. Main Activity #1 (7 min)
   Group drumming using classroom instruments
5. Transition + Activity #2 (7 min)
   Body percussion reading
6. Wrap-Up (3–5 min)
   Line-up song + goodbye

Yes, there are a couple of extra unaccounted minutes in there for good measure!

Final Thoughts

This isn’t about making every lesson perfect.

It’s about having a framework that’s easy to return to.

(Even on the days when your brain says ‘nope.')

So, use this music lesson plan template free for elementary teachers when you need something reliable and functional.

You can even look at using templates as one way to practice being kind to yourself.

And if you’re curious about using AI to help you brainstorm or speed up lesson planning?

There’s more coming in this series.

You don’t have to do this the extra hard way, anymore.