2023-2024 

Year 1

All About Me (Pulse and Rhythm) - Through listening to a range of different music and playing games, children will learn to identify the difference between pulse and rhythm in a song. They will then consolidate this through listening and performing activities, whilst really getting to know each other.

Superheroes (Pitch and Rhythm) - Understanding the concept of pitch, and recognising music is “high and low” students will develop their composing skills and create a Superhero theme tune. Students will develop their skills and understanding through listening to a range of pieces, and using movement to music.

Fairytales (Timbre and rhythmic patterns) - Through fairy tales, children are introduced to the concept of timbre; learning that different sounds can represent characters and key moments in a story. They will learn to do this through changing their voices, using specific sounds to represent points in a story, and by developing their listening skills and identifying sections and timbres within the pieces they hear.

Under the Sea (Musical Vocabulary) - Year 1 will develop their use of musical language, through the topics of “Under the Sea” and “Animals”. They will develop their ability to respond to the beat, and change movements and actions relevant to the dynamic of the piece. They will use instruments and their voices to perform from memory, playing in time and working with their class. Students will create little melodic ideas, and fit these into a bigger class piece.

Animals (Classical Music, dynamics and tempo) - Year 1 will develop their use of musical language, through the topics of “Under the Sea” and “Animals”. They will develop their ability to respond to the beat, and change movements and actions relevant to the dynamic of the piece. They will use instruments and their voices to perform from memory, playing in time and working with their class. Students will create little melodic ideas, and fit these into a bigger class piece.

By the Sea (Vocal and body sounds) - Students will be studying works under the KAPOW scheme of learning. They will use the inter-related dimensions of music, through singing, performing, composing and listening to develop their skills.

Year 2

Musical Me - In this topic children learn to sing the song “Once a Man Fell in a Well” and to play it using tuned percussion, with sound effects. Through this ensemble work, they will start to use the sounds to develop their understanding of timbre, and also start to use letter notation to write a melody.

On this Island: British songs and sounds - This term year 2 will use space and Britain as stimuli to investigate music. They will use their voice and a range of instruments to create a range of sounds, and add dynamics to their work to understand how atmosphere is created. They will look at more instruments, and explain how they can be played in different ways. Through listening, they will compare different pieces and develop their musical vocabulary. At the end of the unit the students will create short melodies called motifs, and will work in groups to create a performance, making sure they are working as part of a group.

Space (Musical motifs) - This term year 2 will use space and Britain as stimuli to investigate music. They will use their voice and a range of instruments to create a range of sounds, and add dynamics to their work to understand how atmosphere is created. They will look at more instruments, and explain how they can be played in different ways. Through listening, they will compare different pieces and develop their musical vocabulary. At the end of the unit the students will create short melodies called motifs, and will work in groups to create a performance, making sure they are working as part of a group.

Animals (West African songs) - Students will learn a traditional Ghanaian song, use simple musical notation and compose some simple call and response rhythms through the theme of Animals.

Myths and Legends - Students will be studying works under the KAPOW scheme of learning. They will use the inter-related dimensions of music, through singing, performing, composing and listening to develop their skills.

Traditional Western Stories (Orchestral Instruments) - Through listening and practical work, students will be introduced to the different instruments of an orchestra. They will be able to identify them and start to understand how they work. They will then play a piece as if they are following a conductor, as part of a “classroom orchestra”.