Rhythm and Pulse Lesson Plan - Year 4 Lesson 6

In Year 4's Lesson 6 of the Rhythm & Pulse series, students are set to achieve several learning objectives that include maintaining a steady pulse during chanting, tapping a steady pulse in a group circle while singing, improvising rhythm patterns for a class performance, and internalising as well as recalling rhythmic and melodic phrases. The key vocabulary for the lesson comprises two fundamental musical concepts: rhythm and pulse, which are essential for understanding the timing and beat in music.

The main activities of the lesson are interactive and engaging. Students begin by chanting 'WHO HAS A BROTHER?' followed by the 'KNEE CLAP CLICK CLICK' game, which was introduced in Lesson 1. This game is developed further by encouraging children to personalise the chant with creative phrases. An improvised performance is then created, where each child in turn claps a unique 4-beat rhythm, all while keeping in time with a steady group pulse. This activity serves as an assessment tool to gauge the children's understanding of rhythm and their ability to stay in time. The class then moves on to musical games such as 'DIC-DICTATION' and 'DOWN BY THE BANKS OF THE HANKY PANKY', which involve passing a tap around the circle in time to the pulse of the song. These activities not only reinforce the rhythmic skills but also promote coordination and teamwork. The plenary session includes a discussion where children reflect on their favourite rhythm and pulse activities from the term, and the lesson concludes with singing 'GOODBYE EVERYONE' with accompanying actions, humming, and thinking, all of which tie back to the National Curriculum's focus on understanding duration, structure, improvisation, performance, and vocal music creation.