Week-Long Classical Music Unit Study for High School (FREE PRINTABLE)

Exploring the World of Classical Music: History, Theory, and Appreciation

This unit is appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  It is designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Visit the Subscribers Page for a printable PDF version.

For extra enrichment, study Music Appreciation in depth.  To tailor for additional middle or elementary school family members, visit this post on teaching classical music through cartoons.

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Day 1: What Is Classical Music?

Activities:

• Mini-Lesson:

  • Read an intro to classical music timeline.
    

• Listening Assignment:

  • Listen to one short piece from each of the four periods:

    • Baroque – Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

    • Classical – Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

    • Romantic – Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

    • Modern – Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

• Journal Prompt:

  • "What differences did you notice between the music from each period?"

• Activity:

  • Create a visual timeline of classical music periods with notable composers and key events. (The last page of the linked file may be helpful.)

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Day 2: Meet the Composers

Featured Composers:

• Johann Sebastian Bach (Baroque)

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Classical)

• Ludwig van Beethoven (Transitional: Classical / Romantic)

Activities:

• Research:

  • Read a short biography on one of the above composers.  Document what you've learned.

• Listening Lab:

  • Listen to one iconic piece from each composer:

    • Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor

    • Mozart: Symphony No. 40

    • Beethoven: Symphony No. 5

• Creative Assignment:

  • Create a composer “profile card” for each with their portrait, time period, facts, and most famous works.

• Journal Prompt:

  • "If you could have lunch with one of these composers, who would it be and why?"

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Day 3: The Anatomy of Music

Activities:

• Mini-Lesson:

  • Watch: What Makes Music Work?

  • Learn about musical forms: binary, ternary, sonata-allegro, theme & variations.

• Listening Focus:

  • Haydn: Surprise Symphony (Dynamics and form)

  • Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata (Mood and texture)

• Musical Analysis:

  • Use a worksheet to map out the structure of a piece in the listening exercise above (AB, ABA, etc.).

  • Identify where certain instruments enter and exit in that piece.

• Journal Prompt:

  • "How does structure help tell a story in music?"

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Day 4: Music as Storytelling

Activities:

• Listening Assignment:

  • Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

  • Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals

• Creative Expression:

  • Choose one movement from a piece and:

    • Draw a picture inspired by it

    • Write a short story or poem based on what you "hear" happening.

• Optional Extension:

  • Create a mini music + drama skit or puppet show using classical music.

• Journal Prompt:

  • "How can music tell a story without any words?"

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Day 5: Music Appreciation Project & Reflection

Project Options:

1. Curate a Classical Playlist:

   • Select 5–7 classical pieces from different periods.

   • Write a paragraph for each explaining its mood, form, and why you chose it.

2. Create a Video or Presentation:

   • Showcase what you've learned about a composer, era, or piece.

   • Include audio clips and visuals.

3. Write an Essay or Article:

   • Topic suggestions:

     • “Why Classical Music Still Matters”

     • “The Evolution of Music: From Bach to Beyoncé”

     • “What Makes Beethoven a Genius?”

Reflection Questions:

• What was your favorite piece and why?

• Did anything surprise you about classical music?

• How do you think classical music influences music today?

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Optional Resources & Tools

Listening Platforms:

• Classics for Kids

Books:

• The Story of the Orchestra

• Lives of the Musicians

• Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Pick up the ENTIRE SERIES right now - plus several bonus units - in our Cottage Shop.

These units are appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  They are designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Each day takes 1-2 hours. This bundle includes the basic twelve, tailored to each month of the year, plus EIGHT bonus units!