MUSIC
Curriculum Intent
Teaching Music at Mosborough supports the aims of the National Curriculum -
- perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
- learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
- understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
‘Music is the universal language of mankind.’- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Music is all around us; it is part of our daily life, most likely more than we realise! Our aim at Mosborough is that music is part of our daily school life, through lessons, assemblies, music ensembles, Sparkle and Shine performance opportunities, as well as events in our wider community.
Throughout their time at Mosborough, all children will have the opportunity to experience playing and singing multiple musical instruments across a broad range of genres, working collaboratively to perform as part of their class ensemble. By the time they leave Mosborough, children will be able to read music, and be able to use their knowledge and understanding to ask further questions, play, listen, and enjoy music for life.
In foundation, children are supported to develop their imagination and creativity through songs and music. They are encouraged to listen, respond, sing and enjoy developing their musical skills. Children have opportunities to hear, join in with and create. They develop their skills in rhyming, singing, creating basic rhythms using instruments and moving in time to the music. We focus on learning nursery rhymes and songs, giving opportunities for children to perform. Children have opportunities for repeated learning enabling their music skills to be developed over time ready to be built upon in Key Stage 1.
In Key Stage 1 music is all about getting moving, singing, listening, and having fun! Children will develop a strong grasp of three key musical elements: pitch, pulse, and dynamics. They will develop their skills to play and sing melodies together and in time, and be able to listen and appreciate a range of different sounds.
In Key Stage 2 children will gain a secure understanding of a further four key musical elements: duration/ rhythm, tempo, timbre, texture, and structure. Children will be able to identify each of these elements, and evaluate them whilst listening to music and within their own performance practice. They will also use this knowledge within musical composition, and are encouraged to explore their creativity- experimenting, reflecting upon, improving, and performing their own pieces.
All children will develop an appreciation and understanding of music history, placing key musical figures and events within the context of broader historical and geographical learning in year group topics. Alongside this theoretical learning will be hands-on music making across a range of instrument families. On completion of KS2, we intend for children to feel confident in their musical understanding, composing and performance skills, and to feel equipped with musical knowledge to pursue further study should they wish to.
Implementation
At Mosborough, Music is planned using a sequence that builds on prior learning, to combine theoretical and practical skills to create an end product. Children develop their singing skills throughout the year within lessons and singing assembly. Each year group will learn to play a range of instruments across the three terms, in tandem with a musical topic that links with key musical themes.
Year 1 Percussion Glockenspiel
Year 2 Percussion Glockenspiel
Year 3 Glockenspiel Percussion Recorders
Year 4 Recorders Ukuleles Glockenspiel
Year 5 Recorders Ukuleles Glockenspiel/percussion
Year 6 Percussion Music technology Glockenspiels
Skills are built-on year after year, following the progression of skills. There is an opportunity to revisit previous year group skills before introducing the year group skill. To manage pupils working below, at and above year group expectations, a whole class assessment is completed following each sequence of learning. These documents are passed on to the next year group to support with assessments as the child moves on.
In foundation, all 7 areas of learning are important and interconnected, therefore experiences will occur across many different opportunities offered through our curriculum. Direct adult-teaching is offered as part of our curriculum alongside an enabling environment that provides a wide range of learning experiences. Music links are made through the area of learning ‘Expressive Arts and Design - Being Imaginative and Expressive’.
Through adult-led sessions children are supported to learn new songs and rhymes. Daily singing of rhymes and songs enable children to learn and perform a wide variety of songs. Within these sessions children are encouraged to take turns to choose the song and also develop their skills in ‘performing’ in different ways - clapping the rhyme, thinking the rhyme and singing the rhyme aloud. Adult-led sessions are also used to give children the knowledge and skills about instruments that they need in order to access them with more independence when available in the provision.
In the outdoor learning area, children have access to resources where they can explore and create music, beats and rhythms independently.
Impact
At the end of KS2, children should have a solid understanding of music theory, and extensive practical skills across a broad range of music genres to take with them into KS3. As mentioned in the intent, children should leave KS2 with an appreciation and understanding of music they encounter in their daily lives. From this they may extend their learning and curiosity to take on further music study and enjoyment beyond Mosborough Primary.
