12 Innovative Musical Themes To use In Your Homeschool

If you’ve been reading this blog for any period of time, you know I’m a great advocate for parents to take their kids’ musical education in to their hands, instead of outsourcing it. 

As a direct result of that philosophy I have always made sure to break down the steps to adding music to the homeschool, and make them really easy and fun to implement. 

One of my key suggestions has always been to create a musical theme for each month of the year. 

While I know many of you have followed that advice through the years, I also know that there are many of you who find it hard to get your heads around it. 

So in this post, I’m going to suggest a theme per month and tell you what exactly you can do with each theme,

I’ve even given you links to other posts on this blog that you can check out for more information about implementing each of the themes. 

Now remember, you don’t have to wait until the start of the new year to begin, just start with whatever month of the year, in which you happen to read this post, and get going. 

If there is a particular theme that you don’t like, no worries. Just double up or repeat a different theme to make up for it. 

Got it?

Great, let’s get started. 

January – The Medieval Era In Music

Learn about the instruments and composers and musical styles of the medieval era in music. 

For more ideas read my post 5 Innovative History Of Music Activities For Kids Of All Ages.

February – The Violin

You can pick any instrument of the orchestra, you don’t have to stick to the violin per se. Whichever instrument you pick for your kids to learn about, you can focus on aspects such as the origins of the instrument, the role it plays in the orchestra and famous violinists etc. 

For more ideas read my post 8 ‘Super Fun’ Age Appropriate Instrument Study Activities.

March – Antonio Vivaldi

Encourage your kids to learn about Vivaldi, create a playlist with his compositions, learn about his life and works and much more.

For more ideas read my post 12 ‘Unimaginably Easy’ Composer Studies Activities Categorized By Age. 

April – Peter And The Wolf

Learn the story of Peter and the Wolf and about its composer Prokofiev. Listen to the different movements, and try to identify the musical instruments featured in each of the movements. Compare and contrast the different movements etc

For more ideas read my post 8 ‘Unbelievably Innovative’ Ways To Teach Music Appreciation Through Peter And The Wolf. 

May – Learn To Play The Recorder

Help your kids to learn to read music notes and play the recorder. 

Don’t know where to start? No worries. 

Register for my Five Free Recorder Lessons and you can get started right now http://bit.ly/giveaccess.

June – The Carnival Of The Animals

Learn the story of the Carnival of the Animals and about its composer Saint Saens. Listen to the different movements, and try to identify the musical instruments featured in each of the movements. Compare and contrast the different movements etc

For more ideas read my post 7 Extra Fun Ways To Introduce Music Through The Carnival Of The Animals.

July – Movie Musicals

Movie musicals are a great way to introduce kids to music. All you need to do is pick a movie musical and watch it and take their learning to the next level. 

For more ideas read my post Up Level Your Child’s Music Knowledge With These Age Appropriate Musical Watching Exercises. 

August – Learn To Read Music Notes And Play The Piano

Help your kids to learn to read music notes and play the piano or the electronic keyboard. 

Don’t know where to start? No worries. 

Register for my Five Free Piano Lessons and you can get started right now http://bit.ly/giveaccess.

September – The String Family 

Learn all about the string family of the orchestra. Ask your kids to research what instruments belong to the string family? What role the string instruments played in the orchestra etc?

For more ideas read my post 8 ‘Super Fun’ Age Appropriate Instrument Study Activities

October – Learn The History Of Our Beloved Christmas Carols

Pick some of your favourite carols and ask your kids to research about the origins of the carol, the composer, what inspired the composer and much more.

For more ideas read my post 11 Fun Festive Music Appreciation Activities For All Ages.

November – The Nutcracker Ballet

Learn the story of the Nutcracker and about its composer Tchaikovsky. Listen to the different movements, and try to identify the musical instruments featured in each of the movements. Compare and contrast the different movements etc

For more ideas read my post 7 ‘Must Know’ Ways To Use The Nutcracker Ballet To Introduce Kids To Music Appreciation.

December – Go Carolling

Get a group of kids together, create a choir, find some popular carols and go out carolling together. Can you think of a better way to add cheer to your neighbourhood?

For more ideas read my post 8 Festive Ways To Incorporate Music Into Your Homeschool This Season.

Please leave your comments below and tell me what you think of these themes and ideas.