Explore Music with Taylor Swift: Fun Lessons for Kids on Verse, Chorus & Beat

Engage kids with fun, simple music activities using Taylor Swift songs! Learn about basic song structure like verse and chorus, find the beat, and understand lyrics with hits like "Shake It Off" and "ME!". Perfect for young music learners.

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Materials Needed:

  • Device with internet access (computer, tablet, phone)
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Paper
  • Crayons or Markers
  • Your awesome voice!

Let's Explore Music with Taylor Swift!

Hi there, superstar student! Did you know Taylor Swift is not just a famous singer, but also an amazing songwriter? She writes songs that tell stories and share feelings. Today, we're going to listen to some of her music and learn about how songs are built, just like building with LEGOs!

What Makes a Song? Verse & Chorus

Most songs have different parts. Two important parts are the Verse and the Chorus.

  • Verse: This part usually tells the story. The words change in each verse.
  • Chorus: This is the catchy part that often repeats! It usually has the main idea or feeling of the song. It's the part you often can't stop singing!

Activity 1: Listen to "Shake It Off"!

Let's listen to Taylor Swift's song "Shake It Off". You can find it easily online (ask a grown-up for help if needed!).

  1. Listen carefully the first time. Just enjoy the music!
  2. Now, listen again. Can you tell when the story part (verse) is playing and when the catchy, repeated part (chorus - "'Cause the players gonna play...") comes in?
  3. Listen one more time! This time, when you hear the Verse, gently tap your knees. When you hear the Chorus, stand up and do a little wiggle or "shake it off"!

Activity 2: Feeling the Beat!

Every song has a heartbeat, called the beat. It's the steady pulse you can tap your foot or clap your hands to.

  1. Listen to the beginning of "ME!" by Taylor Swift (featuring Brendon Urie).
  2. Try to find the steady beat. Clap your hands along with it! Clappa-clappa-clappa. Is it fast or slow?
  3. Can you keep clapping the beat through the first verse and chorus?

Activity 3: Lyrics Tell a Story

Lyrics are the words in a song. Taylor Swift uses lyrics to tell stories and share feelings like happiness, sadness, or excitement.

  1. Think about "Shake It Off" again. What feeling do you think Taylor is singing about? (Hint: It's about not letting mean things bother you).
  2. Think about "ME!". What feeling is that song about? (Hint: It's about being happy with who you are!).
  3. On your paper, draw a picture showing one of the feelings you heard in either song. Use colors that match the feeling!

Wrap Up!

Wow! You learned about verses, choruses, the beat, and how lyrics share feelings, all through the music of Taylor Swift! You're becoming a music expert. Keep listening to music and see if you can find these parts in other songs you love!