Fall games & activities for K-5 music class
If you’ve been around here for a while you are probably already aware of a couple of my resources for fall to build rhythm, solfege, and staff reading skills and incorporating movement and games! Here’s a quick rundown of my current and upcoming resources for fall!
Apple Tree & Falling Apples
Most music teachers are very familiar with the Apple Tree song. The rhythm focuses on quarter notes and eighth notes but you can also practice steady beat. The solfege of the melody focuses mostly on Mi, So, & La but its also a great way to introduce Do too!
You can have students clap or tap the beat and then the rhythm or maybe add instruments to play the beat ad rhythm. Have half the class perform the beat while the other half performs the rhythm! Or instead of instruments, add body percussion, one movement for quarter note and another movement for eighth notes. Maybe even try it as a rhythm round if your students are ready for that!
In addition to all that, there are 2 games that you can play using Apple Tree song and other materials included. The traditional Apple Tree game involves 2 students joining hands to create a tree while other students walk in a circle going through the tree. At the end of the song, the tree tries to catch an apple (another student) to join the in becoming a tree. And I’ve added a 4 Corners game you can use also!
Another apple themed game, Falling Apples, is a solfege board game where students can practice So, Mi, La patterns and recognizing them on a staff. Students are practicing how to find and recognize where So, Mi, and La sit on a staff and advance around the game board. This can be used with a whole class divided into teams or in small groups or centers. I love this as a centers game!
Gnomes and Mushrooms
I already created a game called Where’s the Mushroom?, which originally had 2 versions of an original song, one version written in 4/4 time and one version written in 6/8 time. And each version comes with game cards to play a game like Busted or Kaboom which I recently talked about on my Instagram page.
I’m working on a fresh version of Where’s the Mushroom? that separates the 4/4 and 6/8 versions into 2 different resources. It includes improved visuals and expanded options for gameplay. Ideal for reinforcing time signature, rhythm reading, and note recognition through movement and fun. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, check out the coordinating resource called Where’s the Gnome?! A fun 4 Corners game designed for K-5 students to move, sing, read rhythms, and practice solfège and staff notes. It features 8 colorful gnome posters with names and bios, and three ways to play, so you can differentiate for varying levels. This game pairs nicely with Where’s the Mushroom? in terms of structure, learning goals, and fall themes.
Why these resources are perfect for you this fall
Kinesthetic Learning: Games like 4 Corners get students physically moving, which helps reinforce concepts like rhythm, note values, solfège, and staff reading in a memorable way.
Differentiation: Multiple ways to play = options for struggling students as well as those who need more challenge.
Engaging Visuals: Posters & colorful graphics help students connect with the material, especially younger learners.
Teacher-Friendly: Each resource includes directions and “cheat sheets,” so even if you’re covering for someone else or teaching out of your comfort zone, you’ll have what you need.
If you’re looking for something to reinforce solfège, rhythm, staff note recognition, or harmony in a fun, interactive way, these additions to the Miss Donna 4 Music store are designed just for you. I’d love for you to check them out — and keep an eye out for the updated Where’s the Mushroom?!
Miss Donna 4 Music 