Instrumental - Year 3 Lesson 2

In the second lesson of the Year 3 instrumental compositions and activities, students are set to build on their musical skills with a range of engaging tasks. The learning objectives are centred around playing un-tuned instruments like claves with rhythmic accuracy, using 'thinking voices' to internalise music, and performing and appraising their own work. Key vocabulary for the session includes pulse, rhythm, and internalisation. Each child is provided with a claves or a similar tapping instrument to participate in the activities.

The main activities of the lesson involve interactive singing and playing exercises. Initially, the children play a game called 'Follow the Pattern of the Drum', where they clap and then use their instruments to mimic rhythmic patterns. They learn the song 'The Grand Old Duke of York', adding actions and eventually playing the claves in two groups, omitting the words 'up' and 'down'. The children also learn the action song 'Ding Dong', where they are encouraged to nod and clap on specific words, and then play the claves in place of these words. Group work allows the children to practice singing while playing their instruments, with an extension task involving singing in their thinking voices. Performances and appraisals of these tasks help to reinforce their learning. The lesson concludes with a plenary discussion about the ease of internalising and playing on missing words, followed by a unison performance of 'Goodbye Everyone', combining vocal and clave rhythms.