Rhythm and Pulse Lesson Plan - Year 6 Lesson 3

In the third lesson of a Rhythm & Pulse series tailored for Year 6 students, the primary objective is to enhance the pupils' ability to read and interpret rhythm notations. These notations include symbols such as Ta-a, Ta, Te-te, and a rest, represented by the letters I, B, A, and G respectively. The lesson encourages creativity by having students invent and pair actions with each rhythmic symbol. The children are then tasked with composing their own sequences, practising them in groups with the designated actions, and ultimately performing and appraising the results. The lesson's key vocabulary revolves around these rhythm names and values, setting the stage for a dynamic and interactive learning experience.

Main activities of the lesson involve engaging games like 'Who Has a Brother?' and 'Knee Knee Clap Clap', which help in reinforcing the rhythmic concepts while maintaining a steady pulse. The children are introduced to various rhythm names and values through clapping exercises and rhythm flashcards. They then progress to chanting and clapping rhythm patterns, moving from 4-beat to more complex 8-beat patterns. The class is divided into groups to tap pulses, clap rhythm patterns, and create a 4-beat ostinato. Differentiation is catered for with varying levels of complexity for each group, from chanting in unison to performing with multiple layers of rhythm. The plenary involves performances by the groups and a discussion to appraise their rhythmic accuracy, ensemble coordination, and overall entertainment value, along with suggestions for improvement. This lesson not only aligns with the national curriculum but also fosters aural skills and ensemble performance.