By the end of the unit children will:
- Understand and be able to demonstrate how beats can be grouped into patterns.
- Create body percussion patterns in 2 and 3 time on their own and with a partner.
- Listen actively and mark the beat by performing actions to the music, in groups of 2 or 3.
- Be developing the confidence to perform the Mini Musician Songs on the melodica.
- Begin to recreate familiar songs on the melodica through experimentation and trial and error.
Classroom
> Daisy bell
A light-hearted music hall song, popular throughout WWI, about romance on a tandem.
> Swing-a-long
A fun little song with an excellent accompanying singing game for helping children to feel the difference between 3-time and 2-time.
Watch and listen
> Jazz suite No. 2 – 6. ‘Waltz II’ by Dmitri Shostakovich. Performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. (In 3 time.)
> Jazz suite No. 1 – 2. ‘Polka’ by Dmitri Shostakovich. Performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. (In 2 time.)
Big Sing
> Slap clap clap
A rhythmic action song in waltz time, to support coordination and aid concentration.
> Giggle song
Accessible lyrics with neat rhymes and a ‘put a smile on your face’ message wrapped up in a sing-a-long melody.
> Let's go fly a kite
This song is from the Disney blockbuster Mary Poppins, and like all the songs (and the heroine), it is ‘practically perfect in every way!’ A light-hearted and singable song that never seems to date!
> Baby one, two, three
A laid back, jazzy song involving the body from head to toe!
> Rocking
This simple, repetitive song is easy to learn and will help children to focus. The words can be easily adapted to different situations.
