Pitch Lesson Plan - Year 6 Lesson 5

In the fifth lesson of a series designed for Year 6 students, the aim is to enhance their understanding and practical skills related to pitch in music. The learning objectives are centred around playing melodies on tuned instruments, creating song accompaniments, and constructing three layers of sound comprising drones, ostinatos, and melodies. Students are expected to maintain their individual parts while being aware of how these integrate with the other parts to create a harmonious whole. Key vocabulary includes terms such as pulse, rhythm, solfa syllables (La, So, Mi, Re, Do), drone, and ostinato. Resources required for the lesson include a whiteboard and pen, chime bars in specific notes, switch bats for interactive activities, and optional stave notation sheets.

Main activities of the lesson involve a variety of engaging tasks. Students play a game that involves movement and coordination while singing the song 'GOODBYE EVERYONE', which helps them to internalise the rhythm and melody. They notate the song using solfa hand signs and practice singing while tapping the pulse and clapping the rhythm. The lesson also includes singing with body actions, rhythm names with actions, and solfa with hand signs, all accompanied by relevant tracks. Students are encouraged to play the pulse and rhythm on tuned instruments and to pick out the melody on chime bars. An interactive 'switch' activity involves responding to symbols that dictate various musical tasks. The lesson culminates in a performance and appraisal segment where students demonstrate their ability to keep a steady pulse, rhythm, and melody. For those interested in musical notation, stave notation sheets are available to show or notate the song. The plenary involves a listening and recognition game called 'THINK THE MELODY', which reinforces the students' understanding of musical intervals and solfa signs. This lesson plan aligns with the National Curriculum, focusing on exploring musical texture, pitch, and duration, as well as developing ensemble performance skills.