This is an adaptation of the song 'Samba Lele' for KS3 pupils. It can be performed as 3 different sections or as 2 sections with parts layering up and pupils working in 2 different teams. Planning for 4 weeks is included as well as an mp3 of the tune to help. There are a few games included in this and pupils can swap colours around to get the most out of improving their timing (opposed to just remembering when to do one bit). I have also transcribed a handful of pop tunes for Boomwhackers if you want to take it further (see my other resources). Font: Amatic SC and Century Gothic (see: Font Pack to download the fonts I use)

This set of lessons guides pupils through learning 1, 2 & 3 fingered chords along with songs, games, activities, strumming patterns / rhythms, tied together with learning objectives. I've include 4 backing tracks for getting started playing the chords of C, A minor, F and D minor. I label my ukuleles so that each note has a colour; C = Red, D = Orange, E = Yellow, F = Green, G = Blue, A = Purple and B = Pink. Anything else (flats/sharps used) I mark with black stickers. This makes it easy to explain to pupils which finger goes on which colour. NOTE: install the fonts included to ensure the powerpoints look as intended.

Includes group rhythms, rhythm reading exercises, breaks, call & responses, lesson objectives, etc. I've also included Sibelius audio of how the parts sound together for non-specialists. I call the general piece 'Hungry Samba' as all the rhythms are based around food. I normally create food-based Breaks / Call & Responses with pupils as it keeps an overall theme and ensures memorability. Note: install fonts to ensure it looks like it does in the previews.

In preparation for BBC Music Ten Pieces, I thought I would introduce some Classical Music to KS2 pupils on the glockenspiel, whether you use these for keyboard or even Ukulele. I will probably use them for Ukulele along with my Glockenspiel classes (Y4).

Pieces have been simplified in both notation and technical ability. 1. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs 2. Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis 3. We Are The Champions - Queen 4. Rolling In The Deep - Adele 5. All Right Now - Free Note: The Tom positions have been changed to being on the lines (instead of in between) as I have reduced the stave down to 3 lines and pupils have stated they find this easier for identifying Toms with them having a line through them.

35 pages of lessons, pieces, tips on teaching and leading samba, music games, rhythm exercises and more. The full SAMBA pack comes with audio files, powerpoints and print-outs.

5 high quality posters. They could alternatively make great handbooks for at each keyboard. Covers locating notes (white and black), playing chords, how chords are made, major and minor, two handed playing and more! A whole series for keyboard, guitar, ukulele, drums and bass is coming soon! Drop me a message here or on Facebook if there are any Pop or Rock songs you and/or your classes would like to play!

This is the 6th of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords. James Arthur - You Deserve Better Ed Sheeran - Perfect Zed / Maren Morris / Grey - The Middle Justin Bieber - Sorry Shawn Mendes - Nothing Holding Me Back Available in a bundle including all 6 sets as well as from volumes 1 to 3 and volumes 4 to 6. Also look out for ROCK ANTHEMS vol 1 coming soon…

This is the 2nd of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords. Camilla Cabello - Havana Jess Glynne - These Days George Ezra - Paradise Justin Timberlake - Say Something Jax Jones - Introduction

This short PDF book goes through the strings, frets, notes, chords, plucking, strumming and 3 string chords in order to play 3 songs quickly.

Topics Include: 1. Amazon Samba 2. Dinosaur Samba 3. Caribbean Samba 4. Reggae Samba 5. Solar System Samba Each idea can be easily expanded to last a few weeks or a half-term. All 5 topics come with 3-5 sections, including; Break section, Groove section and Call & Response section At keystage 3-4 it is possible to complete in one lesson but you are more than likely going to want to expand the topic over a full half-term, in which case, some pieces you will also find songs to go with them, games you can play and - obviously - you can swap pupils round 5 times until they have been on each instrument [5 weeks]. The full book includes Audio files, how to learn, teach and lead Samba, more call & response and break patterns, alternate rhythms and exercises, songs for Samba, etc. Note: Any issues, contact me through the Sticks, Keys & Frets: Teaching Resources page on Facebook.

This is the 1 of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords. George Ezra - Shotgun Jess Glynne - I’ll Be There Years and Years - If You’re Over Me 5 Seconds of Summer - Youngblood Tom Walker - Leave A Light On

This is the 3rd of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords. Anne-Marie - 2002 Charlie Puth - How Long Paloma Faith - Lullaby Liam Payne - Familiar Bebe Rexha - Meant To Be

This is the 5th of 6 volumes looking at music in the pop charts, tailored to suit keyboard, ukulele, bass, singing and drums. All charts have been standardised for ease and comes complete with print-out displays for the chords. Post Malone - Better Now Selena Gomez - Back To You Clean Bandit / Demi Lovato - Solo Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry Anne-Marie / Marshmello - F-R-I-E-N-D-S

CONTENT: 7 weeks of lessons for a medium ability KS2 class, though it could even be used as entry level for KS3. Powerpoints include a handful of games, warm ups, rhythms, breaks, hand signs, etc. I usually deliver these lessons in around 30-40minutes but I still try to spend time improving timing and playing to a pulse even by the end of the year. I use both the Apito whistle and the animations available in Powerpoint to have 4 Apito whistles appear on the screen to add a visual element (a wireless presenter is handy). MAKE SURE YOU INSTAL THE FONTS NOTES: The rests on the Surdo part are meant to be played with a bare hand. Ganza shakers are usually encouraged to make a < shape going up, back to the chest, down, back up to the chest (repeat). For the Tamborims I tend to get them to try an 'on/off' pattern similar to the Agogos adding + for closed on beat 1 + 3 and o for open on beats 2+4. I normally tell Agogo players to put their hand out as if they are shaking someone's hand but in this case the handle of the Agogo. From there I get them to make sure they are keeping close to the instrument and playing using their wrist. I said this goes for all other instruments too. For more, see my KS2-KS3 Samba book.

This is a 5 week scheme I’m using for Summer. Rhythms are all dinosaur themed and I have adapted ‘Walk the Dinosaur’ used in Ice Age 3 to fit with Samba and to introduce more Singing in to Samba Lessons. Some rhythms are quite complicated but have found that exposure helps a lot of pupils as well as allowing those that are more capable to expand their reading abilities. Most will rely on their listening skills. Included: Powerpoints for 5 weeks Lesson Plans for 5 weeks Audio for 'Walk The Dinosaur’ Font for Powerpoints Fonts used: Jurassic Park and Century Gothic

1. A Sailor Went to Sea - pupils love this one, playing the C chord on the words sea/see. Helps them remember the chord name really well too. 2. Little Ukulele - great for getting pupils to learn the 2 fingered chord F, however, I teach them Am first. I have backing tracks for both, let me know if you need them.

I have organised these rhythms to fit with; 1. Samba instruments 2. Instruments from different families 3. Fruits Obviously people say words in different ways and with different parts of the word accented but as long as you follow the grid itself it works out.

I use these with both my Samba classes and drum kit pupils along with the Grid Method and Rhythm Circle concepts (see my other resources).