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  • Knowledge and skills through Music

     

     
    Year 3
    Year 4
    Year 5
    Year 6

    Listening

    National Curriculum:

    • Listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory.
    • Appreciate and understand a wide range of high quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians.
    • Develop an understanding of the history of music.

    Knowledge

    • To know five songs from memory and who sang them or wrote them.
    • To know the style of the five songs.
    • To choose one song and be able to talk about:
    • Its lyrics: what the song is about
    • Any musical dimensions featured in the song, and where they are used (texture, dynamics, tempo, rhythm and pitch)
    • Identify the main sections of the song (introduction, verse, chorus etc.)
    • Name some of the instruments they heard in the song.

    Knowledge

    • To know five songs from memory and who sang them or wrote them.
    • To know the style of the five songs.
    • To choose one song and be able to talk about:
    • Some of the style indicators of that song (musical characteristics that give the song its style).
    • The lyrics: what the song is about.
    • Any musical dimensions featured in the song and where they are used (texture, dynamics, tempo, rhythm and pitch).
    • Identify the main sections of the song (introduction, verse, chorus etc).
    • Name some of the instruments they heard in the song.

    Knowledge

    • To know five songs from memory, who sang or wrote them, when they were written and, if possible, why?
    • To know the style of the five songs and to name other songs from the Units in those styles.
    • To choose two or three other songs and be able to talk about:
    • Some of the style indicators of the songs (musical characteristics that give the songs their style)
    • The lyrics: what the songs are about
    • Any musical dimensions featured in the songs and where they are used (texture, dynamics, tempo, rhythm and pitch)
    • Identify the main sections of the songs (intro, verse, chorus etc.)
    • Name some of the instruments they heard in the songs
    • Historical context of the songs. What else was going on at this time?

    Knowledge

    • To know five songs from memory, who sang or wrote them, when they were written and why?
    • To know the style of the songs and to name other songs from the Units in those styles.
    • To choose three or four other songs and be able to talk about:
    • The style indicators of the songs (musical characteristics that give the songs their style)
    • The lyrics: what the songs are about
    • Any musical dimensions featured in the songs and where they are used (texture, dynamics, tempo, rhythm, pitch and timbre)
    • Identify the structure of the songs (intro, verse, chorus etc.)
    • Name some of the instruments used in the songs
    • The historical context of the songs. What else was going on at this time, musically and historically?
    • Know and talk about that fact that we each have a musical identity.

    Skills

    • To confidently identify and move to the pulse.
    • To think about what the words of a song mean.
    • To take it in turn to discuss how the song makes them feel.
    • Listen carefully and respectfully to other people’s thoughts about the music.

    Skills

    • To confidently identify and move to the pulse.
    • To talk about the musical dimensions working together in the Unit songs e.g. if the song gets louder in the chorus (dynamics).
    • Talk about the music and how it makes them feel.
    • Listen carefully and respectfully to other people’s thoughts about the music.
    • When you talk try to use musical words.

    Skills

    • To identify and move to the pulse with ease.
    • To think about the message of songs.
    • To compare two songs in the same style, talking about what stands out musically in each of them, their similarities and differences.
    • Listen carefully and respectfully to other people’s thoughts about the music.
    • When you talk try to use musical words.
    • To talk about the musical dimensions working together in the Unit songs.
    • Talk about the music and how it makes you feel.

    Skills

    • To identify and move to the pulse with ease.
    • To think about the message of songs.
    • To compare two songs in the same style, talking about what stands out musically in each of them, their similarities and differences.
    • Listen carefully and respectfully to other people’s thoughts about the music.
    • Use musical words when talking about the songs.
    • To talk about the musical dimensions working together in the Unit songs.
    • Talk about the music and how it makes you feel, using musical language to describe the music.
    Pulse

    Knowledge

    • Know how to find and demonstrate the pulse.
    • Know the difference between pulse and rhythm.
    • Know how pulse, rhythm and pitch work together to create a song.
    • Know that every piece of music has a pulse/steady beat.
    • Know the difference between a musical question and an answer.

    Knowledge

    • Know and be able to talk about:
    • How pulse, rhythm and pitch work together
    • Pulse: Finding the pulse – the heartbeat of the music
    • Rhythm: the long and short patterns over the pulse
    • Know the difference between pulse and rhythm
    • Pitch: High and low sounds that create melodies
    • How to keep the internal pulse
    • Musical Leadership: creating musical ideas for the group to copy or respond to.

    Knowledge

    • Know and be able to talk about:
    • How pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, texture and structure work together and how they connect in a song
    • How to keep the internal pulse
    • Musical Leadership: creating musical ideas for the group to copy or respond to.

    Knowledge

    • Know and be able to talk about:
    • How pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, texture and structure work together to create a song or music
    • How to keep the internal pulse
    • Musical Leadership: creating musical ideas for the group to copy or respond to.

    Skills

    • Using the Warm up Games tracks provided, complete the Challenges. Children will complete the following in relation to the main song, using two notes:
    • Find the Pulse
    • Clap and say back rhythms
    • Create own simple rhythm patterns
    • lead the class using their simple rhythms
    • Pitch Copy Back Using 2 Notes
    • Listen and sing back (no notation)
    • Copy back with instruments, without then with notation.

    Skills

    • Using the Warm up Games tracks provided, complete the Bronze, Silver and Gold Challenges. Children will complete the following in relation to the main song, using two notes:
    • Find the Pulse
    • Rhythm Copy Back using 1 or 2 notes
    • Clap and say back rhythms
    • Create your own simple rhythm patterns
    • Perhaps lead the class using their simple rhythms
    • Copy back – ‘Listen and sing back’ (no notation)
    • Copy back with instruments, without then with notation
    • Pitch Copy Back and Vocal Warmup.

    Skills

    • Using the Warm up Games tracks provided, complete the Bronze, Silver and Gold Challenges. Children will complete the following in relation to the main song, using three notes:
    • Find the pulse
    • Copy back rhythms based on the words of the main song, that include syncopation/off beat
    • Copy back one note riffs using simple and syncopated rhythm patterns
    • Lead the class by inventing rhythms for others to copy back
    • Copy back two note and three note riffs by ear and with notation
    • Question and answer using two or three different notes.

    Skills

    • Using the Warm up Games tracks provided, complete the Bronze, Silver and Gold Challenges. Children will complete the following in relation to the main song, using three notes:
    • Find the pulse
    • Copy back rhythms based on the words of the main song, that include syncopation/off beat
    • Copy back one note riffs using simple and syncopated rhythm patterns
    • Lead the class by inventing rhythms for others to copy back
    • Copy back two note and three note riffs by ear and with notation
    • Question and answer using two or three different notes
    • Lead the class by inventing rhythms for them to copy back.

     

    Singing

    National Curriculum:

    • Improvise play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression

    Knowledge

    • To know and be able to talk about:
    • Singing in a group can be called a choir
    • Leader or conductor: A person who the choir or group follow
    • Songs can make you feel different things e.g. happy, energetic or sad
    • Singing as part of an ensemble or large group is fun, but that you must listen to each other
    • To know why you must warm up your voice.

    Knowledge

    • To know and be able to talk about:
    • Singing in a group can be called a choir
    • Leader or conductor: A person who the choir or group follow
    • Songs can make you feel different things e.g. happy, energetic or sad
    • Singing as part of an ensemble or large group is fun, but that you must listen to each other
    • Texture: How a solo singer makes a thinner texture than a large group
    • To know why you must warm up your voice.

    Knowledge

    • To know and confidently sing five songs and their parts from memory, and to sing them with a strong internal pulse.
    • To choose a song and be able to talk about:
    • Its main features
    • Singing in unison, the solo, lead vocal, backing vocals or rapping
    • To know what the song is about and the meaning of the lyrics
    • To know and explain the importance of warming up your voice.

    Knowledge

    • To know and confidently sing five songs and their parts from memory, and to sing them with a strong internal pulse.
    • To know about the style of the songs so you can represent the feeling and context to your audience
    • To choose a song and be able to talk about:
    • Its main features
    • Singing in unison, the solo, lead vocal, backing vocals or rapping
    • To know what the song is about and the meaning of the lyrics
    • To know and explain the importance of warming up your voice.

    Skills

    • To sing in unison and in simple two-parts.
    • To demonstrate a good singing posture.
    • To follow a leader when singing.
    • To enjoy exploring singing solo.
    • To sing with awareness of being ‘in tune’.
    • To have an awareness of the pulse internally when singing.

    Skills

    • To sing in unison and in simple two-parts.
    • To demonstrate a good singing posture.
    • To follow a leader when singing.
    • To enjoy exploring singing solo.
    • To sing with awareness of being ‘in tune’.
    • To rejoin the song if lost.
    • To listen to the group when singing.

    Skills

    • To sing in unison and to sing backing vocals.
    • To enjoy exploring singing solo.
    • To listen to the group when singing.
    • To demonstrate a good singing posture.
    • To follow a leader when singing.
    • To experience rapping and solo singing.
    • To listen to each other and be aware of how you fit into the group.
    • To sing with awareness of being ‘in tune’.

    Skills

    • To sing in unison and to sing backing vocals.
    • To demonstrate a good singing posture.
    • To follow a leader when singing.
    • To experience rapping and solo singing.
    • To listen to each other and be aware of how you fit into the group.
    • To sing with awareness of being ‘in tune’.

    Instruments

    National Curriculum:

    • Improvise play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • he instruments used in class (a glockenspiel, a recorder).

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • The instruments used in class (a glockenspiel, recorder or xylophone).
    • Other instruments they might play or be played in a band or orchestra or by their friends.

     

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • Different ways of writing music down – e.g. staff notation, symbols
    • The notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B + C on the treble stave.
    • The instruments they might play or be played in a band or orchestra or by their friends.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • Different ways of writing music down – e.g. staff notation, symbols
    • The notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B + C on the treble stave.
    • The instruments they might play or be played in a band or orchestra or by their friends.

     

    Skills

    • To treat instruments carefully and with respect.
    • Play one, or all, of four differentiated parts on a tuned instrument
    • A one-note, simple or medium part or the melody of the song from memory or using notation.
    • To rehearse and perform their part within the context of the Unit song.
    • To listen to and follow musical instructions from a leader.

    Skills

    • To treat instruments carefully and with respect.
    • Play any one, or all four, differentiated parts on a tuned instrument – a one-note, simple or medium part or the melody of the song from memory or using notation.
    • To rehearse and perform their part within the context of the Unit song.
    • To listen to and follow musical instructions from a leader.
    • To experience leading the playing by making sure everyone plays in the playing section of the song.

    Skills

    • Play a musical instrument with the correct technique within the context of the Unit song.
    • Select and learn an instrumental part that matches their musical challenge, using one of the differentiated parts – a one-note, simple or medium part or the melody of the song from memory or using notation.
    • To rehearse and perform their part within the context of the Unit song.
    • To listen to and follow musical instructions from a leader.
    • To lead a rehearsal session.

    Skills

    • Play a musical instrument with the correct technique within the context of the Unit song.
    • Select and learn an instrumental part that matches their musical challenge, using one of the differentiated parts – a one-note, simple or medium part or the melody of the song from memory or using notation.
    • To rehearse and perform their part within the context of the Unit song.
    • To listen to and follow musical instructions from a leader.
    • To lead a rehearsal session.

    Improvisation

    National Curriculum:

    • Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the interrelated dimensions of music.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about improvisation:

    • Improvisation is making up your own tunes on the spot.
    • When someone improvises, they make up their own tune that has never been heard before. It is not written down and belongs to them.
    • To know that using one or two notes confidently is better than using five.
    • To know that if you improvise using the notes you are given, you cannot make a mistake.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about improvisation:

    • Improvisation is making up your own tunes on the spot.
    • When someone improvises, they make up their own tune that has never been heard before. It is not written down and belongs to them.
    • To know that using one or two notes confidently is better than using five.
    • To know that if you improvise using the notes you are given, you cannot make a mistake.
    • To know that you can use some of the riffs you have heard in the Challenges in your improvisations.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about improvisation:

    • Improvisation is making up your own tunes on the spot.
    • When someone improvises, they make up their own tune that has never been heard before. It is not written down and belongs to them.
    • To know that using one or two notes confidently is better than using five.
    • To know that if you improvise using the notes you are given, you cannot make a mistake.
    • To know that you can use some of the riffs you have heard in the challenges in your improvisations
    • To know three well known improvising musicians.
       

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about improvisation:

    • Improvisation is making up your own tunes on the spot.
    • When someone improvises, they make up their own tune that has never been heard before. It is not written down and belongs to them.
    • To know that using one, two or three notes confidently is better than using five.
    • To know that if you improvise using the notes you are given, you cannot make a mistake.
    • To know that you can use some of the riffs and licks you have learnt in the Challenges in your improvisations.
    • To know three well known improvising musicians.

    Skills

    • Improvise using instruments in the context of the song they are learning to perform. Using the improvisation tracks provided, children will complete the Bronze, Silver or Gold Challenges:
    • Copy Back – Listen and sing back
    • Sing, Play and Copy Back – Listen and copy back using instruments, using two different notes.
    • Play and Improvise – Using your instruments, listen and play your own answer using one or two notes.
    • Improvise! – Take it in turns to improvise using one, two or three notes.

    Skills

    • Improvise using instruments in the context of a song they are learning to perform. Use the improvisation tracks provided and improvise using the Bronze, Silver or Gold Challenges:
    • Copy Back – Listen and sing back melodic patterns
    • Play and Improvise – Using instruments, listen and play your own answer using one or two notes
    • Improvise! – Take it in turns to improvise using one, two or three notes
    • Sing, Play and Copy Back – Listen and copy back using instruments, using two different notes.

    Skills

    • Improvise using instruments in the context of a song to be performed. Use the improvisation tracks provided and improvise using the Bronze, Silver or Gold
    • Challenges:
    • Play and Copy Back Copy back using instruments. Use one, two or three notes
    • Play and Improvise You will be using up to three notes. Always start on G
    • Improvisation! You will be using up to three notes. The notes will be provided onscreen and in the lesson plan:
    • Classroom Jazz 2 – Improvise with a feeling for the style of Bossa Nova and Swing using the notes D, E, G, A + B (pentatonic scale/a five note pattern).

    Skills

    • Improvise using instruments in the context of a song to be performed. Use the improvisation tracks provided and improvise using the Bronze, Silver or Gold Challenges:
    • Play and Copy Back Copy back using instruments. Use one, two or three notes.
    • Play and Improvise You will be using up to three notes:
    • Question and Answer using instruments. Use one, two or three notes in your answer. Always start on a G.
    • Improvisation! You will be using up to three notes. The notes will be provided onscreen and in the lesson plan
    • Classroom Jazz 2 – Improvise with a feeling for the style of Bossa Nova and
    • Swing using the notes D, E, G, A + B (pentatonic scale/a five note pattern).

    Composition

    National Curriculum:

    • Improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the interrelated dimensions of music use and understand staff and other musical notations.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • A composition: music that is created by you and kept in some way. It’s like writing a story. It can be played or performed again to your friends.
    • Different ways of recording compositions (letter names, symbols, audio etc).

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • A composition: music that is created by you and kept in some way. It’s like writing a story. It can be played or performed again to your friends.
    • Different ways of recording compositions (letter names, symbols, audio etc).

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • A composition: music that is created by you and kept in some way. It’s like writing a story. It can be played or performed again to your friends.
    • A composition has pulse, rhythm and pitch that work together and are shaped by tempo, dynamics, texture and structure
    • Notation: recognise the connection between sound and symbol.

     

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • A composition: music that is created by you and kept in some way. It’s like writing a story. It can be played or performed again to your friends.
    • A composition has pulse, rhythm and pitch that work together and are shaped by tempo, dynamics, texture and structure
    • Notation: recognise the connection between sound and symbol.
     

    Skills

    • Help create at least one simple melody using one, three or five different notes.
    • Plan and create a section of music that can be performed within the context of the unit song.
    • Talk about how it was created.
    • Listen to and reflect upon the developing composition and make musical decisions about pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics and tempo.
    • Record the composition in any way appropriate that recognises the connection between sound and symbol (e.g. graphic/pictorial notation).

     

    Skills

    • Help create at least one simple melody using one, three or all five different notes.
    • Plan and create a section of music that can be performed within the context of the unit song.
    • Talk about how it was created.
    • Listen to and reflect upon the developing composition and make musical decisions about pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics and tempo.
    • Record the composition in any way appropriate that recognises the connection between sound and symbol (e.g. graphic/pictorial notation).

    Skills

    • Create simple melodies using up to five different notes and simple rhythms that work musically with the style of the Unit song.
    • Explain the keynote or home note and the structure of the melody.
    • Listen to and reflect upon the developing composition and make musical decisions about how the melody connects with the song.
    • Record the composition in any way appropriate that recognises the connection between sound and symbol (e.g. graphic/ pictorial/ notation).

    Skills

    • Create simple melodies using up to five different notes and simple rhythms that work musically with the style of the Unit song.
    • Explain the keynote or home note and the structure of the melody.
    • Listen to and reflect upon the developing composition and make musical decisions about how the melody connects with the song.
    • Record the composition in any way appropriate that recognises the connection between sound and symbol (e.g. graphic/pictorial notation).
    Performance

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • Performing is sharing music with other people, an audience
    • A performance doesn’t have to be a drama! It can be to one person or to each other
    • You need to know and have planned everything that will be performed
    • You must sing or rap the words clearly and play with confidence
    • A performance can be a special occasion and involve an audience including of people you don’t know
    • It is planned and different for each occasion
    • It involves communicating feelings, thoughts and ideas about the song/music.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • Performing is sharing music with other people, an audience
    • A performance doesn’t have to be a drama! It can be to one person or to each other
    • You need to know and have planned everything that will be performed
    • You must sing or rap the words clearly and play with confidence
    • A performance can be a special occasion and involve an audience including of people you don’t know
    • It is planned and different for each occasion
    • It involves communicating feelings, thoughts and ideas about the song/music.

    Knowledge

    • To know and be able to talk about:
    • Performing is sharing music with other people, an audience
    • A performance doesn’t have to be a drama! It can be to one person or to each other
    • Everything that will be performed must be planned and learned
    • You must sing or rap the words clearly and play with confidence
    • A performance can be a special occasion and involve an audience including of people you don’t know
    • It is planned and different for each occasion
    • A performance involves communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings about the song/music.

    Knowledge

    To know and be able to talk about:

    • Performing is sharing music with an audience with belief
    • A performance doesn’t have to be a drama! It can be to one person or to each other
    • Everything that will be performed must be planned and learned
    • You must sing or rap the words clearly and play with confidence
    • A performance can be a special occasion and involve an audience including of people you don’t know
    • It is planned and different for each occasion
    • A performance involves communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings about the song/music.

     

    Skills

    • To choose what to perform and create a programme.
    • To communicate the meaning of the words and clearly articulate them.
    • To talk about the best place to be when performing and how to stand or sit.
    • To record the performance and say how they were feeling, what they were pleased with what they would change and why.

    Skills

    • To choose what to perform and create a programme.
    • Present a musical performance designed to capture the audience.
    • To communicate the meaning of the words and clearly articulate them.
    • To talk about the best place to be when performing and how to stand or sit.
    • To record the performance and say how they were feeling, what they were pleased with what they would change and why.

    Skills

    • To choose what to perform and create a programme.
    • To communicate the meaning of the words and clearly articulate them.
    • To talk about the venue and how to use it to best effect.
    • To record the performance and compare it to a previous performance.
    • To discuss and talk musically about it – “What went well?” and “It would have been even better if...?”

    Skills

    • To choose what to perform and create a programme.
    • To communicate the meaning of the words and clearly articulate them.
    • To talk about the venue and how to use it to best effect.
    • To record the performance and compare it to a previous performance.
    • To discuss and talk musically about it – “What went well?” and “It would have been even better if...?”