Instrumental Lesson Plan - Reception Lesson 1

The first lesson for Reception children in instrumental activities is designed to introduce young learners to the world of music through hands-on experience with un-tuned instruments. The objective is to explore the different sounds that instruments can make and to understand how they can be organised and played with control. The lesson encourages children to follow instructions given through gestures, symbol cards, and verbal cues, and to recognise when to play and when to be silent. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes words like 'start', 'stop', 'tap', 'shake', 'scrape', and 'ring', which are essential for the activities planned.

During the lesson, children participate in various engaging activities, such as the Drum Game, where they clap, tap their knees, or roll their hands in response to different drum pulses. They also explore the sounds of un-tuned percussion instruments, categorising them into groups like tappers, shakers, scrapers, and bells. Through the Start, Stop Game, they learn to watch for cues indicating when to begin or cease playing their instruments. Another activity involves using symbol cards to direct which group of instruments should play, often accompanied by lively recorded music to provide a steady pulse. The session also includes a fun accumulative game where children sing and play 'Johnny Plays with One Hammer', gradually incorporating more instrument groups and varying the tempo. The lesson concludes with a calming song, 'I Wiggle My Fingers', after all instruments have been carefully put away. Teacher notes offer guidance on how to encourage control and rhythm, ensuring a successful and educational musical experience for the children.