Calming Classical Music: A Thanksgiving Listening Activity Bundle for November

This calming Thanksgiving-themed classical music listening activity pack is perfect for winding down the year and reflecting on gratitude. Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and more - great for Thanksgiving activities, unit studies, and seasonal class parties!

"My students loved this! Perfect for before Thanksgiving break." - Jonathan L.

Music Appreciation Made Easy!

Do you need engaging print-and-go activities and brain breaks? The music featured in this activity packet is carefully curated and previewed - saving you hours of planning time. Just print and cue the music!

The selections are available on YouTube or your favorite streaming service. There are no wrong answers, and no musical training is required, so add a few to your sub plans, too!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of composers from different backgrounds
• observe seasonal/holiday influences within a composition
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Social-Emotional Learning

Listening to classical music has been shown to help with self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. Since social-emotional learning is essential for children, incorporating classical music into your classroom or homeschool is a great way to support their development.

Talk about the emotions evoked by the selected music. What does the music make them feel? Happy? Sad? Anxious? Peaceful? Help students identify and label their feelings. Ask open-ended questions about the music and encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings.

Discuss the different instruments used in the piece of music. What does each instrument contribute to the overall sound? Encourage students to make up a story based on the music. What is happening in the story? Who are the characters? Where does it take place?

While listening, students can draw a picture or scene that comes to mind. What colors are used? What shapes? Why?

November Listening Sheets

1. Appalachian Spring, Copland
2. Awakening, Curiale
3. New England Holidays, Ives
4. Symphony No. 3, Copland
5. The Tender Land Suite, Copland
6. Quiet City, Copland
7. Green Hills, Alwyn
8. Song for Harvest Season, Ives
9. Turkey Trot, Bernstein
10. Badinerie, Bach
11. Divertimento, Bernstein
12. Autumn, (Four Seasons) Vivaldi
13. Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Haydn
14. Piano Sonata No. 17 in B-Flat Major, Mozart
15. Kinderszenen, Schumann
16. Piano Concerto No. 3, Beethoven
17. Pilgrims, Rorem
18. English Horn Concerto, Rorem
19. Autumn Legend, Alwyn
20. Festival March, Alwyn
21. Simple Gifts, Copland

What's Included

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Carnival Coloring - Which carnival rides and activities would best fit a piece of music? Does the tempo feel like a roller coaster or a peaceful swing ride in the sky? Choose a tasty treat from the snack bar, then stop at the prize booth before finishing. There are no wrong answers!

Listen and Color - While listening, students color the scene and choose the keywords/elements that resonate with their listening experience. There is lots of room for drawing, coloring, and journaling in the box! Students often engage in discussions about what they've heard or felt. Great for displaying!

Easel Activity

Pair an engaging digital listening board with these musical selections! Students use the highlight tool to choose from keyword lists that describe their listening experience. An answer box at the bottom allows students to write a brief description of their thoughts and feelings. Using the pen or any design tool provided, students can decorate a scene or upload an image to the frame! Each board features colorful clipart related to the music. As always, there are no wrong answers. Students can choose any combination of descriptors.

November Space Story - Do you need engaging classical music activities? Classical Space Tale listening sheets combine music appreciation with an intergalactic theme! Students compose their epic space tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar space objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!

November Fairy Tale - Classical Fairy Tale listening sheets combine music appreciation with a storybook theme! Students compose their wondrous tales by choosing the setting, characters, and familiar fairy tale objects inspired by the music. There’s also a drawing box for students to capture a scene from their imaginations. Discuss and display for further engagement!

November Checkboxes - Students can use the checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more! Time, nature, settings, instruments, colors, and more! Students can also color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid.

Turkey Trot - Do you need engaging brain breaks? This single-page listening activity is great for Thanksgiving or for adding to your November sub plans. Just print and play! The music is available on YouTube or your favorite streaming services.

November Mindful Listening (en Español) From January to December, the monthly listening sets are now available in Spanish! ¡Este conjunto de hojas de escucha ofrece música clásica para reflexionar y ser agradecido a medida que el año termina! ¡Aarón Copland, Leonard Bernstein y más – grandioso para actividades de Acción de Gracias, unidades de estudio y fiestas de estacionales de clases!