Free Music Education Resources For Substitute Teacher Kits

Nov. 30, 2025, 11:48 a.m.

Tags: music sub tube

Introduction

Music teachers face the same challenge as other educators: occasionally needing to be absent from the classroom. When this happens, having a prepared "sub tub" can make all the difference in maintaining educational continuity. A sub tub is essentially a kit of materials specifically organized for substitute teachers to use when the regular teacher is unavailable. These kits typically include lesson plans, activities, and resources that require minimal preparation and can be implemented by someone without specialized music training. Fortunately, numerous free resources are available to help music teachers stock their sub tubs with engaging, educational materials. This article explores the variety of free music education resources specifically designed for substitute teacher kits, including worksheets, games, seasonal activities, and composer studies.

What is a Sub Tub and Why Music Teachers Need One

A sub tub is a container or box filled with materials that a substitute teacher can use effectively in the absence of the regular music teacher. These kits typically contain lesson plans, worksheets, games, and activities that are self-explanatory and require little to no musical expertise to implement. For music teachers specifically, having a well-stocked sub tub is particularly important because substitutes may not have musical backgrounds, and the activities must be engaging enough to maintain student interest without direct musical instruction.

As one experienced music teacher notes, "Do I really need a stocked sub tub? Yes, you really do. An inevitable part of teaching is that you will need to miss days of school from time to time. When you or a loved one is sick, or there is a family emergency, the last thing you want to think about is sub plans, right?" Unless a music teacher is fortunate enough to secure a substitute with musical expertise, everything in the sub tub needs to be approachable to non-music educators. This makes having appropriate resources readily available essential for maintaining educational quality during absences.

Types of Free Music Education Resources for Sub Tubs

Worksheets and Printables

One of the most common types of resources found in sub tubs are worksheets and printable activities. These materials typically focus on basic music concepts, note recognition, rhythm exercises, or simple composition activities. Several free worksheet options are available for music teachers:

High/Low Ready, Set, Print worksheet samples: These are designed for students practicing high and low pitches, providing visual reinforcement of pitch concepts.
Low Sol Ready, Set, Print worksheet samples: Similar to the high/low worksheets but focused specifically on the "low sol" concept in music education.
Music note and rest identification worksheets: These help students learn to recognize different notes, rests, and musical symbols.
Color by music notes and symbols activities: These combine music education with coloring, making them particularly engaging for younger students.
Word searches featuring music terms: These help reinforce vocabulary related to music theory and notation.

Many of these worksheets are designed to be "no prep" resources, meaning teachers can print them and use them immediately without additional preparation. Some are even compatible with Google Classroom, making them suitable for both in-person and distance learning scenarios.

Games and Activities

Games are particularly valuable additions to a sub tub because they are inherently engaging and can often be implemented with minimal explanation. Several free music games are available that substitute teachers can use effectively:

Freeze Dance Freebie: A classic activity where students dance to music and must freeze when the music stops. This game helps develop listening skills and is easily understood by students of all ages.
Candy Corn Rhythm Races: Focuses on dotted quarter-eighth patterns and makes rhythm practice fun through a racing format.
Holiday rhythm games: These adaptable games can be used with first through sixth graders and are designed to be student-led, making them ideal for situations where the substitute teacher's voice might be tired or when they lack musical expertise.
Emoji games: These use popular emoji imagery to create music-related activities that appeal to students.
Opera or Cheese?: A game where students guess whether a given word or phrase is the title of an opera or a type of cheese, making music education entertaining and memorable.
Rhythm Bug SWAT: An interactive game where students "swat" rhythm bugs, reinforcing rhythm recognition in a playful format.

These games typically include clear instructions that can be printed and placed in the sub tub, along with any necessary materials like flashcards or game boards. Many are designed to be "fast to prepare" and can often be used the same day they are printed.

Composer Studies

Composer studies provide educational value while introducing students to important figures in music history. Several free composer-related resources are available for sub tubs:

Tchaikovsky Staggered Book Freebie: This resource presents facts about Tchaikovsky in an engaging format with just the right number of pages for a single class period. It's particularly suitable for third-grade Nutcracker units but can be adapted for other grade levels.
Irving Berlin Music Sub Plan: A free lesson plan for students in second through sixth grade that includes a fact sheet about the composer and a word search puzzle using words from his biography. The lesson is designed to be easily implemented by non-music substitute teachers and takes approximately 40 minutes to complete.
Composer word searches: These reinforce knowledge of famous composers and their works.

These composer studies typically include biographical information, fun facts, and follow-up activities that can be completed without direct musical instruction, making them ideal for substitute situations.

Seasonal and Holiday Resources

Music teachers can enhance their sub tubs with seasonal and holiday-themed resources that maintain student engagement throughout the school year:

Holiday rhythm games and flashcards: These can be used in all holiday lessons and games, providing variety and timely content.
Winter, spring, summer, and fall music activities: Seasonal themed resources that keep music education relevant to current times of year.
Thanksgiving, December, and Easter music activities: Holiday-specific materials that align with school calendars.
Back-to-school music activities: Resources designed for the beginning of the school year.

These seasonal resources often include a variety of activities that can be mixed and matched depending on the length of the absence and the age of the students.

How to Access These Free Resources

Most of the free music education resources for sub tubs are available through online platforms and educational websites:

Teachers Pay Teachers: This popular marketplace for educational resources has numerous free music materials available. Teachers can search specifically for "music sub plans" or "music sub tub" to find free resources. The site offers filters to narrow down results to free products only.
Music education blogs and websites: Many music teachers and educators share free resources on their personal websites or blogs. These often include original materials created by the site author.
Free resource libraries: Some music education websites maintain free resource libraries that teachers can access by signing up for newsletters or creating accounts.
Educational publisher websites: Some music education publishers offer free samples or downloads of their materials as promotional items.

When accessing these resources, teachers should look for materials that are clearly labeled as free and check the terms of use to ensure they can be used in sub tubs. Many resources are available as printable PDF files, while others may be digital formats compatible with tablets or interactive whiteboards.

Tips for Organizing a Sub Tub with Free Resources

Simply collecting free resources is not enough; music teachers should also consider how to organize these materials effectively for substitutes:

Create a system of folders or binders: Organize materials by grade level, concept, or season so substitutes can easily find appropriate activities.
Include clear instructions: Every activity should have straightforward, step-by-step instructions that a non-music teacher can follow.
Prepare materials in advance: Laminate game boards and task cards to ensure they can be reused multiple times.
Include answer keys: For worksheets and puzzles, provide answer keys so substitutes can verify student work.
Create a "first day" sub plan: Have a complete, ready-to-go lesson plan for unexpected absences, with multiple activities in case one finishes early.
Consider technology needs: If using digital resources, ensure substitutes have access to necessary technology or provide offline alternatives.
Keep an inventory: Maintain a list of materials in the sub tub and check regularly to replenish used items.
Solicit feedback from substitutes: Ask substitutes which activities worked well and which were confusing, then refine the sub tub accordingly.

By organizing free resources thoughtfully, music teachers can create a sub tub that functions effectively even during unplanned absences.

Specific Free Resources Mentioned in the Sources

Based on the sources reviewed, here are some specific free resources that music teachers can use to stock their sub tubs:

From Source 1:

High/Low Ready, Set, Print worksheet samples
Low Sol Ready, Set, Print worksheet samples
Candy Corn Rhythm Races (focusing on dotted quarter-eighth patterns)
Freeze Dance Freebie

From Source 2:

Tchaikovsky Staggered Book Freebie by Rhythm & Bloom
Personages with Long Ears Listening Map by Cowgirl Compositions
"Toad"ally Awesome Music Awards by Music with Sara Bibee

From Source 3:

Holiday rhythm games adaptable for first through sixth graders
Holiday rhythm flashcards
Holiday rhythm game posters

From Source 4:

Music rhythm and listening activities for K-3
Free music activity sets
Various seasonal music activities (winter, spring, fall, etc.)
Music terms word wall resources

From Source 5:

Sub Tub Stuffers by Pitch Publications (though these appear to be paid resources, they're mentioned as popular options)
Music or Not games by Melissa Stouffer, including Opera or Cheese?

From Source 6:

Irving Berlin Music Sub Plan (for grades 2-6)
Music word search activities
Editable music choice board templates

These resources represent just a sampling of what's available. Music teachers should explore the sources listed below to discover additional free materials that can enhance their sub tubs.

Conclusion

Having a well-stocked sub tub is an essential part of being a prepared music teacher. Fortunately, numerous free resources are available to help create comprehensive substitute kits that maintain educational quality during absences. From worksheets and printables to games and composer studies, music teachers have access to a wealth of materials that require minimal preparation and can be effectively implemented by substitutes without musical backgrounds. By organizing these free resources thoughtfully and regularly updating their sub tubs, music teachers can ensure their students continue to receive engaging music education even when they're unable to be in the classroom. The free resources discussed in this article represent just a starting point—exploring the sources listed below will reveal even more materials to help music teachers build effective sub tubs without straining their budgets.