The first week of school can feel like a whirlwind—new faces, fresh schedules, and the pressure to set the tone for the year ahead. But instead of scrambling to plan the perfect lessons, focus on what really matters: connection, consistency, and curiosity.
This post wraps up the Let’s Get Organized blog series with a closer look at what your first week in the music room can look like—and how to use a handful of go-to resources to make it both organized and meaningful.
👉 Haven’t joined the course yet? The Get Organized course is full of templates, planning tools, and first-week lesson ideas you can use right away. Let’s make this your smoothest start to the school year ever.
Instead of diving into heavy content, use your first few music lessons to:
Here’s how I do it with a mix of ready-to-go resources that work especially well for older students.
These are a low-prep, flexible way to get students engaged on day one. Use them:
Each card prompts students to reflect on their musical experiences, preferences, and hopes for the year—perfect for easing into class routines while starting meaningful conversations.
This is a staple for me every September.
These worksheets help students share who they are as musicians—whether they’re brand new to music or passionate about performing. With 12 leveled options, you can easily differentiate for:
💡 Tip: Collect these and revisit them during goal setting or mid-year reflections!
Build classroom community and reinforce key vocabulary by using these editable name tags. Each one includes space for:
Use them for icebreakers, desk labels, or to create a music-themed class bulletin board.
This one’s a classic—and for good reason!
Each bingo card includes fun musical prompts or actions. Students move around the room finding classmates who can complete each box (think: “has played the recorder,” “can name a composer,” or “loves musical theatre”). Great for:
🎉 Bonus: This activity is included in the Musical Bingo Bundle for year-round use!
Want to start a routine you can maintain all year? Begin with daily music listening.
Each prompt asks students to respond to:
These work beautifully as warm-ups, bell ringers, or quiet reflection activities—especially helpful during a busy first week when you’re still learning names and adjusting schedules.
This project-based activity is perfect for your upper elementary and middle school students. Students create a personal playlist that represents who they are, then analyze one song using musical vocabulary.
You’ll love it because:
🛒 Grab the full “Soundtrack of My Life” project here and use it as your first unit of the year.
If you’re teaching junior band, the first week is a golden opportunity to:
Use the Back-to-School for Beginner Band Students resource to review expectations, and pair it with the Musical Mentor Assignment to start peer coaching relationships early on.
This builds trust, confidence, and collaboration from day one—especially important for students who might be nervous to start a new instrument.
Here’s what I reach for every year during week one:
You can mix and match based on your teaching load and grade levels—but this list ensures you’re starting with purpose and structure.
The first week of school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With just a few intentional resources and systems in place, you can focus on what matters: connecting with your students and setting the tone for a great year of music.
Need help planning your full year, not just week one? The Get Organized course walks you through:
🎯 Click here to join now and feel prepared, confident, and ready to teach with clarity.
My name is Alessandra and I am a Kindergarten-Grade 8 Teacher of the Arts, specializing in music and dance education. Based in Toronto, Canada, I teach 800+ students a week and am a huge advocate for the arts. I graduated with a Bachelors of Music Therapy & Masters of Education, and I am passionate about fostering a quality music education program for every learner.
