No-Prep Music Sub Plans
Free music sub plans that any substitute can run, even without a music background. Students work on their own devices, and a class test at the end sends you every student's result.
A music lesson is one of the hardest to leave for a substitute, who often can’t read music. These plans need no music knowledge to run. You share a few links before you go, the substitute keeps the class on track, and you come back to a score for every student.
What you need
- A device for each student, such as a Chromebook or tablet, with internet. Trebly runs in the browser: no apps, no accounts.
- A way to share links. Google Classroom is easiest: post the links before you leave, or schedule them for the day. See how to use Trebly with Google Classroom.
- Headphones, if you have them. The note-reading games work silently; the rhythm activities need sound.
Before you leave
- Create the class test for the end of the lesson. Choose a speed and a clef, then select Create test link (more about class tests):
Steady gives about four seconds a note, Brisk about three, Fast under two.
Note the code: every result for this test carries it. Pressing Create again makes a new test with a new code.
- Post the links for the plan you choose (below) in Google Classroom, in the order students will use them. Post the class test as an assignment, with these instructions for students:
Open the link and type your class number as your student ID. Take the test. When you finish, select Copy result, paste it as a private comment on this assignment, then select Turn in.
- Tell students their IDs, or ask the substitute to: a class number works well. It’s how you’ll know whose result is whose.
Plan 1: Elementary (grades 2–5), about 40 minutes
| Time | Activity | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Treble Clef Practice | Warm up by naming notes on the staff. Leave the range on Level 1. |
| 10 min | Lesson 1: How the Staff Works | A short lesson on lines, spaces and the treble clef, with a quick check at the end. Students who have done it already can do their next lesson. |
| 10 min | Songs | Name the notes of Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb, and hear the tune come together. |
| 5 min | Class test | 20 notes, about two minutes, then copy the result and hand it in. Use Steady and Treble. |
| Extra | Arcade | For early finishers: how high a score can they reach? |
Plan 2: Middle school (grades 6–8), about 45 minutes
| Time | Activity | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Treble Clef Practice or Bass Clef Practice | Warm up on the clef your students read most: band and orchestra students often read bass. |
| 10 min | Read Music in Time | Name each note on the beat, starting at the Slow speed. Reading and rhythm together. |
| 10 min | Arcade | Notes speed up as students get them right. A class challenge: who has the best score at the end? |
| 5 min | Class test | Use Steady, or Brisk for a strong class, on Treble, Bass or Both. |
| Extra | Music Dictation | For early finishers: hear a measure, then write it on the staff. |
Notes for the substitute
You can copy these into your sub folder or Classroom post:
Students will work on their own devices through the links posted in Google Classroom, in order. You don’t need to know any music. Keep an eye on the times and move the class on. If there’s no sound, that’s fine for most activities; headphones help. At the end, every student takes the class test, selects Copy result, pastes it as a private comment on the assignment, and selects Turn in. If Copy result doesn’t work on a device, the student can take a screenshot of the result instead.
When you get back
Open the class test assignment’s Student work page. Each student’s private comment shows their score, the notes they missed and the time. If a result looks wrong, open its check link to see what the test recorded. The notes students missed tell you what to review in your next lesson.
Good to know
- Lessons unlock in order on each device, so a student can only open lessons they’ve reached on that device. That’s why these plans use lesson 1 and the practice games, which are always open.
- Progress stays on the device. On shared Chromebooks, students may see someone else’s progress in the lessons. The games and the class test aren’t affected.
- No accounts and no student data. Students don’t sign up for anything, and Trebly never sees their IDs.
Questions teachers ask
Does the substitute need to know any music?
No. Students follow the activities on their own devices. The substitute’s job is to keep time and make sure everyone hands in the class test.
What if we don’t have a device for every student?
Put Arcade on the projector in full screen and let students take turns, or work in pairs on one device. For the class test, each student needs a turn on a device so their result is their own.
Can I change the times or activities?
Of course. Every activity on the For teachers page has its own link, so you can swap any of them in.