The Soaring Scarves Academy
Back-to-School Music Resource Hub
Find free video resources, scarf dances, rhythm play-alongs, professional development, and ready-to-use back-to-school music lesson ideas all in one place. Use this hub to plan your first weeks of music class with movement, structure, and joy.
The Soaring Scarves Academy: Everything You Need to Plan Joyful, Movement-Filled Music Lessons
Back-to-School Resource Hub
What do you need first?
Start with free video resources or jump straight to the back-to-school lesson ideas.
The Soaring Scarves Academy
Back-to-School Lessons to Start With
Whether you are planning your first week, looking for K–2 storybook lessons, building rhythm skills with older students, or adding seasonal fall favorites, these back-to-school music posts will help you start the year with movement, structure, and joy.
Start Here
Best for the First Week of Music Class
These lessons are a great place to begin when you want students moving, participating, listening, and settling into the music room from the very first week.
First Week Lesson
Mortimer
This blog walks through a back-to-school music lesson built around Mortimer. It is a strong first-week option because it gives students a clear story structure while bringing in rhythm, movement, listening, and participation right away.
K–2 Fundamentals
How to Speak Moo
This blog is especially helpful for introducing the music room to younger students. It uses story, movement, and playful sound exploration to teach foundational skills in a way that feels accessible at the beginning of the year.
Movement + Story
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
This lesson is a strong first-week choice when you want students engaged in story-based movement and musical response. The blog shows how a picture book can become an active music lesson with rhythm, imagination, and whole-class participation.
Younger Students
K–2 Back-to-School Lessons
These lessons are a strong fit for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade because they use story, steady beat, movement, simple rhythm, and clear routines.
Fall Rhythm Lesson
Applesauce Day
This blog highlights a no-prep fall rhythm lesson that works well for younger elementary students. It brings together story, rhythm practice, seasonal connection, and movement so students can participate without needing a complicated setup.
Kindergarten Music
Tap the Magic Tree
This blog is a great fit for kindergarten and early elementary music. It focuses on movement, solfege, and steady beat while giving younger students a gentle, story-based way to practice music room participation.
K–2 Storybook Lesson
Monkey Puzzle
This blog shares a no-prep back-to-school music lesson for grades K–2 using Monkey Puzzle. It brings together rhythm, solfege, and movement in a playful storybook lesson that helps younger students participate, listen, and move with purpose.
Older Elementary
Grades 3–5 Back-to-School Lessons
These lessons work well for older elementary students who are ready for more rhythm practice, dynamics, solfege, listening, movement, and creative response.
Mixed Rhythms
Pumpkin Soup
This blog focuses on mixed rhythm practice with ta, titi, and tika-tika. It is a strong option for grades 3–5 because students can review rhythm concepts through a lesson that still feels active, seasonal, and story-connected.
Dynamics + Movement
The Quiet Forest
This blog shares an easy back-to-school music lesson for grades 2–4 with dynamics, rhythm, and movement. It is a helpful choice when you want students practicing musical opposites and active listening early in the year.
Rhythm + Solfege
Strega Nona
This blog walks through a storybook music lesson that brings together rhythm, solfege, and movement. It is a strong fit for older elementary students because it gives them multiple ways to practice musical skills through one familiar story.
September + Fall
Autumn Music Lessons
These fall music lessons are perfect for September and October when you want seasonal lessons that still support rhythm, movement, assessment, and classroom routines.
Fall Music Lesson
Scarecrow
This blog gives teachers a fall music lesson that is easy to bring into the classroom. It is a good seasonal option when you want students moving, responding, and staying engaged through a fall-themed lesson.
Rhythm + Assessment
The Leaf Thief
This blog highlights a back-to-school and fall music lesson for rhythm, movement, and assessment. It is especially useful when you want students to show what they know through active participation instead of a worksheet.
No-Prep Fall Fun
Fall Mixed Up
This blog is a no-prep, movement-filled fall lesson that works well as students settle into the school year. It gives teachers a seasonal way to keep music class active, playful, and structured.
Want to see what’s inside?
Take a quick walkthrough of The Soaring Scarves Academy and see how the lessons, movement activities, assessments, professional development, and planning support work together.
The Soaring Scarves Academy
Back-to-School Video Resources for Music Teachers
Use these video playlists when you want quick professional development, movement ideas, scarf dances, and rhythm play-alongs that can support your back-to-school music planning.
Professional Development
Bring More Meaningful Movement Into Your Music Classroom
This playlist is for elementary music teachers who want movement to feel purposeful, musical, and connected to learning. Use these videos for back-to-school planning, classroom routines, student engagement, and movement-based teaching ideas.
Movement-Based Teaching
Meaningful Movement Professional Development
Watch this playlist when you want support building lessons where movement is not just a break, but part of the learning. These videos can help you think through routines, participation, engagement, and how movement can support classroom management from the beginning of the year.
Scarf Dances
Back-to-School Scarf Dance Playlist
Scarf dances are one of the easiest ways to help students practice personal space, listening, steady beat, form, expression, and safe movement at the beginning of the school year.
Scarf Movement
Scarf Dances for Elementary Music
Use this playlist when you want ready-to-use scarf dances that get students moving with purpose. These videos are helpful for practicing movement expectations, showing musical ideas with the body, and giving students an active way to connect with the music.
Rhythm Practice
Rhythm Play-Along Playlist
Rhythm play-alongs are a helpful way to review music skills while keeping students active, focused, and engaged. These work well during the first weeks of school, quick transitions, sub plans, and rhythm review lessons.
Play-Along Videos
Rhythm Play-Alongs for Music Class
Use this playlist when you want quick rhythm practice without a lot of extra prep. Students can clap, tap, chant, play, or move with the rhythm patterns while reviewing skills in a way that feels structured and fun.
Inside the Membership
What You’ll Find Inside
Explore ready-to-use resources that make music planning easier, more active,
and more joyful.
Storybook-Based Lessons
Bring favorite children’s books into music class with movement, rhythm,
singing, listening, and creativity.
Scarf Dances + Movement Breaks
Use meaningful movement to keep students engaged, focused, and ready to learn.
Interactive Google Slides
Teach with ready-to-use visuals, activities, play-alongs, and lesson materials
already built for you.
Simple Assessments
Use digital and printable assessments that fit naturally into the elementary
music classroom.
Teacher Breakdown Videos
Watch quick walkthroughs so you know exactly how to teach the lessons before
students walk in.
PD + Certificates
Access professional development designed for real music teachers, with
certificates included.
Current Offer
Summer of Free for Music Teachers
Try the full Soaring Scarves Academy membership free for 2 months and see how
storybook lessons, movement activities, assessments, and PD can make your school
year easier.
Here’s what people are saying about The Soaring Scarves Academy
“I love that the most wiggly students get what they need- the opportunity to move…..it’s stuff that sticks with them too!”
“The things that the Soaring Scarves Academy has presented have revolutionized my classroom.”