Rhythm and Pulse Lesson Plan - Reception Lesson 4

The fourth lesson for Reception in the Rhythm & Pulse series is designed to engage young learners with un-tuned percussion instruments, helping them to internalise and express rhythms. The learning objectives include playing to the words of a given rhyme on these instruments, chanting rhymes from memory, and using a combination of vocal expression and physical clapping. Key vocabulary such as 'pulse', 'rhythm', 'percussion', and 'together' are introduced, ensuring that children are familiar with the fundamental concepts of musical timing and coordination.

The lesson plan is structured with a variety of main activities that incorporate fun exercises and interactive games. It starts with a familiar track, 'The Cookie Jar', and progresses to clapping and chanting exercises that involve the children's names, building a personal connection to the rhythm. The use of a 'Magic Lollipop' tool helps to guide the children between chanting out loud and using their 'thinking voices', as well as transitioning between chanting and playing the instruments. The plenary session encourages children to reflect on their favourite sounds and to articulate their preferences, further developing their descriptive language skills. The lesson concludes with a drum game that reinforces attentive listening and concentration. Teacher notes highlight the importance of this structured progression from voice to body percussion to instruments, emphasising the development of inner hearing, which is crucial for musical growth.