Instrumental - Year 6 Activity Sheet 2

The Year 6 Activity Sheet 2 is a structured guide designed to help students explore and understand musical concepts through a series of progressive tasks. Initially, students are encouraged to engage with the piece "Rocky Mountain" by singing and tapping the pulse on their knees, which helps them internalise the steady beat of the music. Following this, they progress to singing while clapping the rhythm, allowing them to differentiate between the steady pulse and the varying rhythms of the song.

As students become more confident, they are asked to think the words silently and focus solely on clapping the rhythm, further reinforcing their understanding of the rhythmic patterns. The next step challenges them to think the words and play the rhythm on instruments, adding an instrumental element to their learning. In a more complex activity, the class is divided, with half playing the pulse and the other half playing the rhythm, all while using 'thinking voices' to mentally rehearse the words. The sheet also includes activities to develop creativity and ensemble skills, such as singing and playing an ostinato—a repetitive musical phrase—and extensions that encourage students to create their own ostinato patterns and combine different musical layers within the group. This activity sheet is a companion to Active Music Year 6 Lesson 3, and it provides a comprehensive approach to learning musical concepts in a fun and interactive way.