
Having a sub in the music classroom can feel like a gamble—will the lesson be engaging? Will students stay on task? Will it align with curriculum requirements? These no-prep, fully editable Google Forms take the stress out of planning. Simply copy the link, paste it into your Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom page, and your students are set!
These lessons go beyond simple worksheets; they introduce students to important composers, musical styles, and historical periods while keeping them engaged without needing a music-trained substitute.
Before assigning, double-check the YouTube video links to ensure they are still active and appropriate. Grading is easy—just export responses to Google Sheets and sort by first name, last name, and class period for quick organization.
Lesson 1: Composer Showdown – Wagner vs. Stravinsky

This lesson introduces two composers with drastically different musical styles. Richard Wagner, a composer of epic operas, is known for his sweeping orchestration and rich harmonies (Ride of the Valkyries). Igor Stravinsky, on the other hand, shocked audiences with his rhythmic, jarring, and unpredictable works like The Rite of Spring. Students will experience these dramatic contrasts and analyze how each composer shaped the future of music. Click Here to Download Your Copy of Lesson 1
Lesson 2: Composer Showdown – Liszt vs. Paganini

Franz Liszt and Niccolò Paganini were the ultimate showmen of the 19th century. Liszt’s La Campanella is a dazzling piano piece, full of rapid passages and delicate bell-like sounds, while Paganini’s Carnival of Venice highlights his legendary violin skills, showcasing fast fingerwork, expressive phrasing, and technical brilliance. Students will explore the virtuosity and competitive spirit that defined these composers. Click Here to Download Your Copy of Lesson 2
Lesson 3: Jazz Legends – Ella Fitzgerald vs. Louis Armstrong

This lesson introduces two of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Ella Fitzgerald, known as the “First Lady of Song,” revolutionized jazz with her smooth tone, incredible range, and effortless scat singing (It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing). Louis Armstrong, famous for his unmistakable gravelly voice and pioneering trumpet playing (When the Saints Go Marching In), helped shape early jazz. Students will compare their styles and explore how improvisation and swing rhythms define jazz. Click Here to Download Your Copy of Lesson 3
Lesson 4: Programmatic Music – Telling Stories Through Sound

This lesson focuses on music that tells a story without words. It includes:
🎶 Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique (March to the Scaffold) – A dramatic movement depicting a dream sequence where a doomed artist envisions his execution. 🎶 Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals (Kangaroos, Aquarium, Fossils, and Finale) – A playful suite where each movement represents an animal, from bouncing kangaroos to mysterious underwater scenes. 🎶 Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King – A suspenseful and mischievous piece where a character sneaks through a troll king’s castle, building to a dramatic climax. 🎶 Prokofiev’s March from Love for Three Oranges – A quirky, bold, and regal march used frequently in film and television. 🎶 Selections from Fantasia 2000 – A modern take on programmatic music, visually representing the stories behind these famous compositions.
Students will analyze how tempo, dynamics, and orchestration help tell a story in each of these pieces. Click Here to Download Your Copy of Lesson 4
Lesson 5: The Art of Sound Effects in Film & Media

From Star Wars’ laser blasts to WALL-E’s robotic sounds, students will explore the behind-the-scenes world of sound design and learn about careers in music production. They'll watch videos on how sound effects are made, including Foley artists creating everyday noises for movies and engineers designing iconic sounds in science fiction films. Click Here to Download Your Copy of Lesson 5
How to Assign These Lessons
1️⃣ Save a copy of the Google Form and edit as needed. Adjust the title, add instructions, or remove questions as you see fit.
2️⃣ Copy the Google Form link.
3️⃣ Paste it into your Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom page.
4️⃣ Tell students to complete the form independently during class.
5️⃣ View responses in Google Forms or export them to Google Sheets for easy grading.
💡 Pro Tip: Keeping first name, last name, and class period in separate fields makes sorting much easier!
How to Share the Google Form with Students
Once you've saved a copy of the Google Form, make sure students can access it by adjusting the sharing settings:
Click the Send button in Google Forms.
Select the link icon (🔗), then check that the link is set to “Anyone with the link can respond.”
Click Copy and share it in Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom.
This quick step ensures that students can open the form without needing special permissions, avoiding technical issues during class.
Why These Lessons Work
✅ Engaging & Independent – Students work at their own pace.
✅ No Need for a Music-Trained Sub – The lesson runs itself.
✅ Fulfills Curriculum Standards – Covers music history, style, and careers.
✅ Easy to Grade – Google Forms collects all responses automatically.
I use these every time I have a sub, and they’ve completely eliminated classroom management issues. Students are engaged, the sub doesn’t have to lead anything, and I can be confident my students are still learning.
🚀 Ready to Use These in Your Classroom?
Save the lessons, paste them into your learning platform, and make your next sub day stress-free!