Instrumental Lesson Plan - Year 2 Lesson 4

The fourth lesson in the Year 2 instrumental series is designed to enhance the musical abilities of young learners by focusing on playing un-tuned instruments following verbal cues, maintaining a steady pulse while accompanying singing, and internalising word patterns to play in two parts. The session utilises a variety of instruments categorised into tappers, shakers, scrapers, and bells, each bringing a unique texture to the musical experience. Children are encouraged to engage with different tracks, which include 'Have You Brought Your Talking Voice?' and 'Hi, My Name's Jo', where they learn to play their instruments in rhythm with the chant and progressively build up the ensemble as each instrument group joins in. The lesson also incorporates singing the song 'A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea' with instrument accompaniment, replacing actions with specific instrument sounds.

Further activities include the chant 'Diddle Diddle Dumpling', where each line of the verse is associated with a different instrument, promoting listening skills and coordination. The children practise and perform the song with soloists from each instrument group, followed by an appraisal to encourage critical listening and constructive feedback. The plenary session invites children to reflect on their favourite games and articulate their preferences. The lesson concludes with the song 'Goodbye Everyone', played with instruments, where tappers and scrapers articulate the rhythm of the lyrics, while shakers and bells add flair to the farewell. The lesson is supported by a DVD with visual aids and 'Teacher Notes' providing additional teaching tips and ideas to further enrich the learning experience. The activities align with the National Curriculum, exploring timbre, duration, expressive use of voice, and performance in a group setting.