Header
Year 6
Term 1 We've Got Rhythm – Rhythmic Devices And Structure
The term begins with an exploration of time signatures. Through songs and collaborative rhythm games, the class will get a feel for 6/8 rhythms and learn to identify changes in time signature and musical style in the song Take Five Styles.
Performing rhythms expressively is a focus for the term and the children will explore rhythmic poems and songs such as Plastic Wrap and 1066 Rap. They will experiment with vocal and instrumental effects by varying articulation, dynamics and timbre and learn to identify these features when listening to each other perform.
Throughout the term, the children will listen to rhythms from around the world such as djembe drumming from West Africa, Latin American rhythms such as tango, salsa and samba and Konnokal from South India. Using songs as inspiration, the children will learn to play polyrhythms and experiment with creating different polyrhythmic textures.
The term ends with an opportunity to capture rhythmic ideas in a musical structure. From a choice of activities, the children can write a short rap, choreograph a routine with plastic cups or create a 16-beat (four bar) body percussion break to accompany the song, Fiesta!
Term 2 MUSICAL EFFECTS AND MOODS
Whether ‘Mickey Mousing’, singing like a Silly Donkey or creating a vocal firework display inspired by Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, the term begins with an opportunity to get creative with vocal and instrumental sounds. The children will develop improvisation skills, learning how to make subtle changes to vocal timbre as well as exploring dynamics, pitch, tempo and articulation to achieve effects.
Songs such as Ear Warm and Crying Out For Love are a great opportunity to learn about intervals and through simple tuned percussion activities, the children will explore how consonant and dissonant sounds in harmony can create moods and atmosphere.
Throughout the term, the children will explore how composers use music to communicate characters, settings, and moods, identifying and exploring techniques such as leitmotifs used by film composer, John Williams.
As the term moves on, it’s time to take to the stage! The children will learn about key features of musical theatre, identifying the role of actors, musicians, and audience! Working in small groups, they will explore ways to interpret and convey the lyrical meaning of a song effectively, adding appropriate dynamics, vocal timbre, facial expression, and movement.
The term ends with an opportunity to compose, notate and perform! From a choice of activities exploring graphic and standard notations, the children could create film soundtracks, leitmotifs, sound-effect rhythms or perhaps try a musical rollercoaster ride!
Term 3 CELEBRATING SONGS
Whether they are listening out for that catchy hook, performing a chord progression, or composing the next hit song, this term the children will develop their knowledge of song ingredients!
The children will learn how composers use the dimensions of music to communicate the message of a song as well as identify structural features such as verse, chorus and bridge.
As the term progresses, they will learn to identify and describe melodic patterns and sequences in songs, playing them by ear on melodic instruments. They can learn to identify chromatic melodies with songs such as Happiness is Not... or compose and notate simple melodies inspired by Ring Out The Bells and London Bells.
Ensemble playing remains a key focus and the children will develop their understanding of chords, learning to play simple chord progressions and basslines to accompany songs such as This Is The Blues or When We Celebrate.
Throughout the term, the children will listen to a range of music from protest songs to royal fanfares and understand how composers find their inspiration from specific events and situations in the world.
The term ends with a chance to create music for a specific occasion. With a selection of activities to choose from, the children can write a song of celebration, a leavers song or a school fanfare!