Pitch Lesson Plan - Year 6 Lesson 4

In the fourth lesson of a pitch-focused series for Year 6 students, the primary objective is to introduce the solfa note and hand sign for 'Re' and to reinforce the recognition and vocalisation of intervals within the pentatonic scale—specifically between the notes Do, Re, Mi, So, and La. The lesson is interactive, with children engaging in a variety of activities that include copying rhythm and pitch patterns using hand signs, silent singing exercises, and singing solos. Using resources like a whiteboard, pen, and optional stave notation worksheets, the students are encouraged to participate in both visual and auditory learning. They will also learn a new song, "Hot Cross Buns," and play related games to deepen their understanding of pitch and melody.

Further into the lesson, students are introduced to a character named Raymond, or 'Re', which adds a narrative element to the learning process. This characterisation helps students remember the hand sign for 'Re' and the pitch it represents. The lesson plan includes a mix of singing patterns, silent singing, and hand sign activities to solidify the students' grasp of the solfa notes. Additionally, they are given the opportunity to play melodies on chime bars and even attempt a more advanced exercise by playing a melody in a canon. The lesson concludes with a plenary discussion about the effectiveness of using hand signs in learning music and how this method can facilitate the transition of skills to musical instruments. The teacher notes provide a rationale for focusing on the pentatonic scale and prepare the students for the application of these skills to instrument playing in subsequent lessons.