Seaside & Under the Sea Level: Key Stage 1 - Skills & games

Seaside Graphic Scores (downloadable)

The children need to work in small groups and ideally they be able to choose from a range of untuned and tuned instruments. They could go to the music corner group by group, then come together at the end of the day for performance time.

1/ Structured Seaside Score - Voices (structure, pulse, rhythm)

The children understood the score quickly and we performed it first using just voices. There are three lines to this graphic score and it's read from left to right like text in a book, and like conventional notation. In line 2, the shark and the seagull sound at the same time, like in a musical score where more than one note is played at the same time.

Using Instruments (timbre, structure, texture)

When instruments are used instead of voices, using two instruments played together in line 2 creates a thicker musical texture. I added a steady pulse on the xylophone, to keep everyone in time, which added another layer of complexity.

2/ Unstructured Seaside Score (texture, timbre, pitch)

This score is more of a suggestion and is less formally structured than the previous one so it may focus more on the elements of texture, timbre and pitch. The children have the same choice of instruments but the structure is less formal so each group of children can make their own interpretation.

Stepping Over the Waves Game (a performance piece)

You'll need plenty of space needed – it could be outdoors in summer, or in the hall. I saw it done by a dance company and it's actually really easy!

Half the class lies end to end in 4 rows of around 4 children. They roll slowly towards the other children who walk, in 4 rows of 4 children, towards them and step over them as if stepping over waves. This looks very effective from the front and can be used in an assembly or school performance – but not recommended on a raised stage in case someone rolls off!

You could use any suitable music, but this sea sound-effect works particularly well: