Have you ever received that dreaded early morning phone call? You’re sick. Your child is sick. Or maybe there’s a family emergency. You need substitute music lesson plans immediately.

Or perhaps you’re on the other side. You’re a substitute teacher. The phone rings. They need you to cover a music class today. Panic sets in. You have NO IDEA how to teach music!

As music teachers, we often find ourselves in a unique predicament when it comes to absences. Most substitute teachers don’t have musical training, which means our carefully crafted curriculum can grind to a halt when we’re away.

But what if I told you there’s a solution that doesn’t involve “just play a movie” or “have them do a worksheet“?

Today, I’m sharing five outstanding music substitute plans.

ANY teacher can implement these successfully. Even those with zero musical experience! These easy music sub plans have been classroom-tested. They engage students in meaningful musical learning. No need for your substitute to read music. No instrument playing required. No singing to lead. Just simple, effective lessons anyone can teach.

Let’s dive into these music class sub plans that will save your sanity the next time you need to be away!

One of the most fundamental concepts in music education is understanding instrument families. This substitute music lesson makes it accessible for any substitute music teacher. It doesn’t even matter if they can’t tell a clarinet from a trombone!

This elementary music sub plan is brilliantly simple but incredibly effective. It’s structured around three short videos that introduce string, woodwind, and brass instruments. After each video segment students complete a simple comprehension activity. This builds their knowledge of orchestral instruments step by step.

The genius of this plan is in its organisation. Students watch a video about a specific instrument family (for example, strings), then immediately fill in blanks on their worksheet about what they’ve just learned. This gives your substitute clear stopping points and ensures students are actively engaged in their learning.

1. The substitute plays the first video introducing string instruments
2. Students complete the first section of their comprehension sheet
3. This pattern repeats for woodwinds and brass
4. Students then match instruments to their family groups on a diagram
5. If time allows, extension activities include discussing less common instruments

The best part? Your substitute doesn’t need to provide any of the musical content themselves. It’s all delivered through the videos, and the answers to the comprehension questions are included in the lesson plan. Talk about easy music lesson plans for substitute teachers!

Students are naturally fascinated by instruments. These videos show closeups of professional musicians playing each instrument. Visual and auditory components keep students engaged. The matching activity at the end is simple but effective. It solidifies their understanding of instrument categories. Students love seeing how the instruments work up close!

Please find the resources required for this lesson below.

Bookmark the link for use in your classroom, and share it with your substitute teacher.

This fascinating music substitute lesson plan takes students on a time journey. They discover how modern pianos evolved. It’s perfect for grades 3-4. The plan introduces important music history concepts. Your substitute needs no specialized knowledge. Anyone can teach this engaging piano history lesson. Students love learning about these historical instruments!

The entire lesson revolves around one video. It covers the history of the piano. Worksheet activities follow. They reinforce what students have learned. Your substitute simply plays the video. Then they guide students through comprehension questions. Finally, they supervise a fun crossword puzzle. That’s all there is to it! No musical knowledge needed.

1. Students watch a short, engaging video about how the piano developed
2. The class completes comprehension questions together (with answers provided in the lesson plan)
3. Students work independently on a crossword puzzle with clues from the video
4. If time allows, extension activities include creating a poster advertising the “new invention” of the piano

The worksheet includes a code-breaking activity at the end where students decode a famous piano composition title (“Moonlight Sonata”), which adds an element of fun and challenge for early finishers.

The video brings music history to life. It demonstrates how early keyboard instruments actually sounded. Students hear the difference compared to modern pianos. They’re fascinated to learn about the piano’s origins. The piano was once a groundbreaking technological innovation! Hands-on activities keep students engaged. They remain interested throughout the entire class period. Even non-musical students enjoy this historical approach.

Please find the resources required for this substitute music lesson below.

This lesson is ideal for Grade 3 or 4 music classes that require a sub lesson.

Bookmark the link for use in your classroom, and share it with your substitute teacher.

This substitute music lesson plan introduces students to The Beatles. They were one of music’s most influential bands. The plan works perfectly for upper elementary students. It appeals to grades 4-6 as they develop their own musical tastes. Students begin forming opinions about music at this age. They’re also starting to understand how music shapes culture. No prior Beatles knowledge required!

The lesson centers on one video. It shows The Beatles’ rise to fame. It features their most popular songs. It explains their cultural impact. Your substitute needs zero musical knowledge. They simply play the video. Then they guide the discussion questions. The activities that follow are straightforward. Everything is prepared and ready to use. Anyone can teach this Beatles lesson successfully.

1. Students watch a comprehensive overview video about The Beatles
2. The class completes guided comprehension questions about key facts from the video
3. Students engage in discussion questions comparing fan reactions in the 1960s to today’s music fans
4. Students complete a word search featuring Beatles song titles they heard in the video

This is one of the best music substitute plans available. This is because it integrates music history with cultural context. Students learn how music reflects society. They see how it shapes culture too. The discussion questions encourage critical thinking. Your substitute needs no special knowledge about music. They don’t need to know anything about The Beatles, as the lesson plan provides all necessary information. Everything is explained clearly. It’s truly substitute-friendly!

Even students who may not be familiar with The Beatles are captivated by scenes of “Beatlemania” and the band’s appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The lesson connects historical music to their own experiences as modern music fans, and the word search activity reinforces their new knowledge of Beatles songs in a fun way.

Please find the resources required for this sub music lesson below.

This lesson is written for Grade 4 music classes – however it would function effectively as a sub music lesson for any grade from grades 4-6.

Bookmark the link for use in your classroom, and share it with your substitute teacher.

This innovative music substitute lesson plan for upper elementary introduces older students to the creative process behind modern songwriting and production. It’s perfect for grades 5-6 and provides fascinating insights into how contemporary musicians create the songs we hear on the radio.

This lesson revolves around a behind-the-scenes video where Australian musician Gotye explains how he created his song “Eyes Wide Open.” The video does all the teaching, making this one of the most easy music sub plans for non-specialist teachers to implement successfully.

1. The substitute introduces Gotye as a Grammy-winning artist
2. Students watch a fascinating video showing how Gotye sampled sounds from “the musical fence” in outback Australia
3. Students complete comprehension questions about the songwriting and production process
4. The class listens to the final song without visuals, focusing on identifying the instruments they hear
5. Students watch the music video and discuss how it enhances or changes their perception of the song

The lesson plan includes thoughtful discussion questions about meaning, creative choices, and how sampling contributes to the song’s message—all of which can be facilitated without musical expertise.

This lesson gives students a peek behind the curtain of music production—something rarely covered in elementary music classes. They’re fascinated by how ordinary sounds can be transformed into music through sampling and how professional musicians combine traditional instruments with technology. The environmental message of the song also provides rich material for discussion.

Please find the resources required for this sub music lesson below.

This lesson is written for Grade 5-6 music classes, but could even be used in middle or junior high school.

Bookmark the link for use in your classroom, and share it with your substitute teacher.

Kindergarten music sub plans require special consideration. Young learners need activities that:

• Incorporate movement
• Have clear, simple directions
• Maintain engagement through variety

While our older students can sit and focus on videos and worksheets for longer periods, our kindergarten and first-grade students need more dynamic activities that channel their natural energy and shorter attention spans.

Fortunately, our final lesson plan is specially designed with these youngest musicians in mind!

Finding appropriate kindergarten music sub plans can be particularly challenging, but this Musical Adventure lesson provides the perfect solution. It’s specially designed for our youngest students and incorporates movement, listening, and creative expression in a structured, easy-to-follow format.

This lesson is entirely video-guided, making it one of the most foolproof music sub plans for non music teachers. The substitute simply plays each video segment and follows along with the activities, requiring no musical knowledge or special skills.

1. Activity 1: Students play a listening game with “Fireworks” music, guessing what the music represents
2. Activity 2: Students learn “Cows in the Kitchen,” a fun song with movements and animal sounds
3. Activity 3: Students listen to “Flight of the Bumblebee” and draw pictures showing how the music moves
4. Activity 4 (optional): Students learn a body percussion pattern to accompany “Hickory Dickory Dock”

Each activity is introduced by a video, with clear instructions for both the substitute and the students. The lesson provides natural transitions between activities and accommodates different attention spans and energy levels.

This lesson engages all learning modalities—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—keeping kindergarten students fully engaged throughout the class period. The animal sounds in “Cows in the Kitchen” are great fun, while the drawing activity for “Flight of the Bumblebee” allows for creative expression. The body percussion patterns are simple enough for success while still being challenging and fun.

Please find the resources required for this kindergarten substitute music lesson below.

A kindergarten lesson plan requires more, shorter segments. Therefore we have provided a complete kindergarten substitute music lesson plan.

Download the PDF files linked below and share them with your substitute teacher, and bookmark the presentation for use in the classroom.

To make these emergency music sub plans truly ready for any absence, follow these simple steps:

1. Create a dedicated sub binder with clear section dividers for each lesson plan
2. Pre-print all worksheets needed for each class you teach
3. Write clear instructions for accessing the presentation and videos, including our link provided
4. Add class lists and seating charts to help your substitute manage the classroom effectively

The best part about these easy music lesson plans for substitute teachers is that they can be prepared well in advance and kept ready for unexpected absences. Unlike some music activities that might be tied to your current curriculum, these standalone lessons will work at any point in the school year.

What makes these music teacher substitute lesson plans particularly effective is that they’re designed specifically with non-musician substitutes in mind. They don’t require any special musical knowledge or skills, yet they still provide meaningful, standards-based music education.

Unlike many substitute music lesson plans that are essentially busywork, these lessons:

• Teach core musical concepts
• Engage multiple learning styles
• Provide clear structure for the substitute
• Include all necessary materials
• Offer extension activities for classes that move quickly

Most importantly, they allow your music program to continue even when you’re absent, rather than having your curriculum come to a complete halt every time you’re away.

These substitute lessons work great for emergencies. But what about the rest of the year? A complete curriculum ensures consistent music education. Your students deserve high-quality lessons all year long. Whether you’re teaching or not.

The Fun Music Company offers a comprehensive Music Curriculum Program. It provides everything for an entire year. All lessons are engaging and standards-aligned. You’ll get step-by-step lesson plans. Ready-to-use presentations are included. Student worksheets come prepared. Assessment tools make evaluation simple. You’ll save countless hours of preparation time. Yet you’ll still deliver exceptional music education.

Many lessons are designed to be substitute-friendly. The principles from these emergency plans extend across the entire program. Your music program can thrive every day of the year!

To see what is included in the Fun Music Company Curriculum program, the easiest first step is to download the sample pack below.

This will give you a tiny taste of the hundreds of engaging lesson activities in the program, and you can then get in touch with us and learn more about the program.

Janice Tuck

Music Teacher and Creative Director of the Fun Music Company.