Instrumental Lesson Plan - Year 1 Lesson 2

In the second lesson of the instrumental series for Year 1, pupils are encouraged to refine their abilities to follow various cues such as gestures, symbols, and word instructions while engaging with untuned percussion instruments. The lesson's objectives include practicing to maintain a steady pulse while accompanying their own singing, counting and internalising rhythms, and playing on a specific beat. Additionally, students are prompted to observe and discuss the distinct sounds produced by different categories of instruments. Key terms for the lesson include start, stop, tap, shake, scrape, and ring, which are essential for the understanding and execution of musical instructions.

The lesson is structured around a series of interactive activities that incorporate lively recorded music. These include the Drum Game, Start/Stop Game, and Continuity Game, which utilise tracks from a recommended recording. Students are grouped by the type of instrument they handle—tappers, shakers, scrapers, or bells—and participate in exercises that focus on coordination and rhythm, such as clapping and playing on chosen beats. A highlight of the session is the 'Johnny Plays with One Hammer' activity, an accumulative game that integrates singing with playing instruments, gradually building up from one to four different instrument groups. The lesson concludes with a plenary activity where students engage in a song that emphasises finger movement, consolidating the skills practised during the session. Comprehensive teacher notes and a DVD are available to provide additional guidance and ideas for enhancing the lesson, ensuring alignment with the National Curriculum's emphasis on playing untuned instruments musically and exploring musical elements such as duration, timbre, texture, and sound combination.