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Earth Day: Songs & Activities for Your Music Classroom
This week, we’re sharing a simple lesson plan to use with one of the songs from We’ve Only Got One Planet: A Musical Revue. The song is also included in Musicplay Grade 2, and the activity can be easily adapted for a variety of grade levels. Find all of this and MORE in the Earth Day Unit on MusicplayOnline.
Recycle
1. Learn the Song:
Full Notation Files Available on MusicplayOnline
- Use this song to discuss Earth Day (April 22) and recycling. Connect it with Song 74, "Garbage," and talk about recycling in your community.
- Read the lyrics using the slides on MusicplayOnline and discuss their meaning. Ask students to listen for two recycling ideas in the song: newspapers and bottles/cans.
- Teach the song by rote, and have students identify the verses and chorus. Explain that the chorus repeats between verses with the same melody and lyrics.
2. Read a Story
Don't Throw That Away! By Lara Bergen and Betsy Snyder
- This book teaches kids how to recycle and reuse common household items.
- Each flap shows how to turn trash into something new.
- After each flap, sing the chorus of the song "Recycle."
3. Create Using the Custom Word Rhythm Generator:
- Brainstorm items that you can recycle as a class.
- Match the words to rhythms in the Custom Word Rhythm Generator. You can find this in the Toolbox on MusicplayOnline.
- Work together in small groups or as a class to create a pattern.
- Transfer your patterns to body percussion or unpitched percussion instruments.
- Sing the chorus for "Recycle", then each of the patterns as a "B" section.
We've Only Got One Planet: A Musical Revue
Looking for a simple way to bring Earth Day into your music classroom? This engaging musical revue explores environmental themes through music your students will love.
The songs are easy to learn, with catchy rhythms, memorable melodies, and fun sound effects. Use the full musical as a performance project, or choose just a song or two to fit your schedule.
The teacher’s handbook includes piano accompaniments, reproducible student pages, movement ideas, and cross-curricular activities, along with vocal and accompaniment tracks to support learning and performance.
This resource is available on MusicplayOnline, or can be purchased as a separate resource at the Musicplay Store!
We've Only Got One Planet Link
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Musicplay Team Updates:
We wanted to take the opportunity to share some updates from the team:
Content Updates:
- Check again next week for future updates!
Development Updates:
- New Drum Machine interactive
- New Staff Lesson bass resources
- Support for 2 beat rhythms in Word Rhythm Composition tool
- Added the ability to disable student codes
- Navigation now remembers the last open state.
- Notifications can now be dismissed more easily
