Rhythm and Pulse Lesson Plan - Year 6 Lesson 4

In Year 6, Lesson 4 of the Rhythm & Pulse curriculum, students are set to enhance their musical memory and improvisation skills. The learning objectives focus on internalising and recalling a 16-beat rhythm pattern, as well as improvising within a group setting. The key vocabulary terms introduced in this lesson include 'pulse', 'rhythm', 'internalise', and 'improvise', which are essential concepts for understanding and performing music.

The main activities of the lesson begin with the 'Rhythm Memory Game', where students are challenged to memorize and recite a sequence of rhythm patterns using 4 x 4-beat rhythm cards. This exercise is designed to strengthen their musical memory as they progressively recall the rhythms with cards being turned over. Following this, the class engages in creating an improvised performance, with each student contributing an 8-beat pattern in turn, while the rest of the class maintains a steady pulse. The activity is both an opportunity for creative expression and an assessment tool to gauge the students' understanding of rhythm and their ability to stay in time. Further development includes group performances and the introduction of un-tuned percussion to add complexity to the rhythm exercise. The lesson concludes with a plenary activity where the class sings 'Goodbye Mary', bringing together the skills practised in the lesson. These activities align with the National Curriculum's objectives to explore and understand musical notation, develop aural accuracy, and perform with increasing control and accuracy.