Musical Instruments and Instrumental Families - WHOLE UNIT

6 LESSON SERIES ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTAL FAMILIES - WHOLE UNIT OF WORK

The aim of this unit of work is to enable children to learn about music and musical instruments without the requirement of any specialist music teacher, prior musical knowledge, or practical music resources like instruments.

Structure
There are 6 lessons within this unit of work on the topic of musical instruments and instrumental families. Each lesson is titled as follows:

1. Introduction to Musical Instruments and Instrumental Families
2. The Woodwind Family
3. The Brass Family
4. The String Family
5. The Percussion Family
6. The Keyboard Family

Lesson Content
Each lesson is structured as a detailed presentation. Each presentation follows the same structure to allow for consistency throughout the unit.

• Introduction and Recap of Instrumental Families
• Introduction to the topic instrumental family - overview
• Key instruments within that instrumental family
• Comparing instruments within that family
• Activities

In each lesson, up to 6 musical instruments from the instrumental family in question are covered in detail with an overarching focus on key features of that family. The aim for each lesson is for students to recognise and describe to a basic level features and instruments within that instrumental family.

Activities
Questions are asked throughout to help engage students’ attention and allow them to have an active part in their learning. Activities are also involved in the lesson to help students consolidate their knowledge. Activities include the following:

• mind map activity
• poster-making/ advertising activity
• written fact-file activity
• Creative design activity

All activities are designed to cover the instrumental family in question, and incorporate cross-curricular learning with specific emphasis on numeracy and literacy skills.

Inclusivity
Colour is used throughout to aid memory. Colour coding is used throughout the unit to provide consistency with colour links across lessons. Animations and transitions are used throughout to engage attention but they are used subtly so as to not become overwhelming or overstimulating. For lower level learners, all lessons can be easily segmented into 2/3 lessons. Suggestions for differentiation included.