Grades 2–5
My Listening Journal
Listen to a piece of music two times. Write what you hear, what it reminds you of and what you think of it.
Music theory worksheet · Listening and composing
Listen and Draw
Listen to a song with your eyes closed. Draw what the music makes you picture, then circle the words that fit.
- Grade level
- Grades K–2
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Describing what you hear, Using music vocabulary, Composing a short rhythm or melody, Sharing an opinion with a reason
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- The song I heard:
- Close your eyes and listen. What does the music make you picture? Draw it.
- Circle the words that fit the music.
Words on this sheet
fasthappyslowcalmloudsleepysofthighlowexcitedsillybrave
Teacher tip
Pick a piece with a strong picture in it, like The Swan or Flight of the Bumblebee from the classics, and do not tell kids the title until the drawings are done.
How to use it
- Play the piece twice: once just to listen, once to write or draw.
- Choose a short piece, two to three minutes, with a clear mood.
- Let kids work in pairs and check each other before you show the answer key.
Watch for
One-word answers like “good”. Ask for a reason with a music word in it.
Talk about it
- Was the music fast or slow, loud or soft?
- Where have you seen or heard this in a song we know?
Take it further
Listen to the same piece played by different instruments and compare.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More listening and composing worksheets
Grades 1–3
Compose a Four-Beat Rhythm
Pick notes and rests from the rhythm bank to fill four beats in every measure. Clap what you wrote.
Grades 3–5
Write Your Own Melody
Write a melody of eight measures using the notes C, D, E, F and G, then give your song a name.
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