Instrumental - KS1 - Teacher Notes

The "Instrumental Activities Key Stage 1" teacher notes provide a comprehensive guide for educators aiming to cultivate young students' musical abilities through engaging activities and games. The lesson plans, predominantly available on an accompanying DVD, are designed to develop children's instrumental skills in a structured and enjoyable way. The pedagogical approach underscores the importance of musical awareness as a precursor to instrumental proficiency, advocating for vocal expression and body percussion as foundational steps. These preliminary skills are then built upon through a series of logical, step-by-step activities that encourage children to vocalize, clap, and ultimately play rhythm patterns on instruments, fostering both confidence and recognition of their musical achievements.

For successful implementation of these lesson plans, teachers will require a variety of instruments for tapping, shaking, scraping, and bells, as well as tuned instruments like xylophones or chime bars. The lesson content is designed to cater to mixed-ability groups, promoting peer learning and leadership among more able students. A key educational strategy employed is differentiation by outcome, where all students work on the same task and progress to more challenging tasks only upon mastery. The curriculum emphasizes the distinction between pulse (a consistent beat like a heartbeat) and rhythm (patterns that follow the words of a song), using rhythm flashcards and songs to reinforce these concepts. Singing is also a crucial component, with a focus on clear diction, expression, and response to musical instructions. The program not only teaches musical techniques but also encourages students to appraise their performances, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of music.