Going Places Level: Key Stage 1 - Cross-curricular activities

Feelings about Going Places (timbre, structure & PSED link)

This activity links well with the Listening and Movement section in this unit, about Peer Gynt and his travels. It doesn't matter what order you do them in but, if you do this first, remember to mention it in context when you listen to the Peer Gynt music, In the Hall of the Mountain King. The children would benefit from already having experienced group instrumental work before they attempt this task. The 'Feelings' pictures are in the downloads at the start of the unit.

Feelings Song by Tom

One of the lovely things about working with groups is that the children's creative ideas are likely to be heard and acknowledged. Once children understand that they can make up music, they spontaneously just do it! In a whole class situation, be sure to go round the groups so that you can listen, guide and help.

Feelings Music Using the Instruments

We decided to have a conductor for our music, who would help to remind us of the structure we had decided on. Our conductors did a great job! Amitie found her true vocation and made the most of her position of power! We guessed the feeling correctly and discussed what we liked about the music and how we might improve it when we had another go.

By the way, I generally divide children pretty randomly into groups - it just happened that the girls were sitting together on this occasion. With a whole class, you will know which children can be relied on to work well together.

A visit to somewhere new

An outing to see something that children do not encounter in day to day life will be fascinating. Depending on where you live, choose a suitable place for a visit.

In Lancashire, for example:

• The butterfly house at Williamson Park, Lancaster
• Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough
• Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

In London, for example:

The Science Museum and the British Museum in London have sections specifically for pre-school children. Visits obviously need careful planning using a high level of supervision and following formal guidelines in the case of nursery schools.