Instrumental Lesson Plan - Year 1 Lesson 1

The first lesson for Year 1 students in instrumental activities is designed to introduce young learners to the diverse sounds and methods of playing untuned instruments. The lesson's objectives include exploring different instrumental sounds, learning to play these instruments with care by following various cues such as gestures and symbol cards, and developing the ability to count, internalise, and play to a steady pulse. Key vocabulary terms like 'start', 'stop', 'tap', 'shake', 'scrape', and 'ring' are highlighted, ensuring children become familiar with basic musical commands. Each child is provided with an instrument from the categories of tappers, shakers, scrapers, and bells, and a large drum and symbol cards are used as resources. Additionally, recorded music with a consistent beat is suggested to enhance the learning experience, with 'Maple Leaf Rag' by Evelyn Glennie recommended for its lively tempo.

Main activities of the lesson include interactive games such as the Drum Game, where children respond to different drum pulses with corresponding actions. They also engage in the Start, Stop Game, which teaches them to attentively follow visual cues for playing and stopping their instruments. The Instrument and Symbol Game introduces the use of coloured cards to direct when each group of instruments should play, offering children the opportunity to play along with recorded music or a steady pulse provided by an adult or peer. The Continuity Game and Clap and Play on Chosen Beats activities further reinforce the children's sense of rhythm and teamwork. As the lesson concludes, the children learn a song to guide them in putting away their instruments neatly, and they participate in the 'I Wiggle My Fingers' activity to wrap up the session. The lesson is aligned with the National Curriculum, aiming to explore timbre and duration while playing untuned instruments musically.