Mystery Message Game | Free Music Lesson Plan for Rhythm/Pitch - MakingMusicFun.net

Big Idea

Is student focus drifting toward Christmas break or summer vacation? Mystery Message Game is the solution! It’s "Hangman" with a musical twist. Music students compare and contrast rhythm/pitch sets and decode a secret message in a race to win the game. It's always a hit!

Grade Level: 2-6
Activity: Musical Game & Ear Training
Skill: Comparing and Contrasting Rhythm/Pitch Sets

Students will develop analytical skills as they compare and contrast rhythmic and melodic patterns to solve a puzzle.

This lesson is designed to fulfill the 2014 National Standard for Music:
Demonstrate and explain how responses to music are informed by the structure, the use of the elements of music, and context. (Responding - MU:Re7.2)

Mystery Message Game | Lesson Pack (Premium)
Blank Paper and Pencils
Small rewards (like candy or stickers)

Music Lesson Plan

Step 1
Tell the students, "When I say 'Go,' I want everyone to grab the Mystery Message Game worksheet, a blank sheet of paper, and a pencil. Once you have everything, head back to your seat."

Step 2
Ask the students to place the worksheet in front of them, but keep their pencil and blank paper behind them for now.

Step 3
Ask the class, "Who has played Hangman?"

Step 4
Tell students, "The game we’re playing today is like Hangman, but with a musical twist. I’ll be telling you what every letter is—but I will be telling you in a secret musical code. To win the game, you'll have to break the code."

Step 5
Show the worksheet and say, "Take a look at the Mystery Message Game. Below each letter is a measure of music. Each time I ask you to guess a letter, I'll play one of those measures. You’ll need to compare the music you hear to the notes on your page to figure out which one I'm playing."

Step 6
Do a practice round. Tell students, "I'm going to play either letter 'A' or letter 'B.' Listen closely and see if you can tell which one it is." Play the example three times.

Step 7
Ask for a volunteer to identify which alphabet letter was played.

Step 8
Do one more practice round with two different letters to make sure everyone understands how to compare the musical patterns.

Step 9
Confirm the correct answer with the class.

Step 10
"Let's play the game! Place your paper and pencil in front of you."

Step 11
"I've drawn and numbered the blanks for the first puzzle on the board. Please copy what I have written on your paper. When you're ready, we'll start the game."

Game Rules

1) Teacher performs each alphabet letter three times on the piano or Orff xylophone.

2) Students guess the correct alphabet letter and record it in the correct blank.

3) Students raise their hand to guess the mystery message.

4) Students are allowed only one guess per round. Incorrect guesses eliminate the student. They should continue to participate, but they won't be eligible to win.

5) Students win candy for correctly guessing the mystery message.

If the challenge of figuring out the correct letter from all 26 letters of the alphabet is too great, try reducing the choices. For example, tell the students that the answer is between A, B, C, or D.