KS2 musical micro:bit

Unit of five Computing and Music lessons aimed at KS2 Year 5 in England (ages 9-10). Pupils compose musical phrases and write algorithms to play their phrases on pitched instruments (e.g. glockenspiels).

They then program the micro:bit to play their phrases when events are triggered and and experiment with using the accelerometer. Finally, they consider whether the micro:bit can be used as a music-making device, especially for those who might not have access to instruments.

The unit comprises five lessons of approximately 60 minutes each:

1. Unplugged lesson composing musical phrases
2. Programming musical phrases in MakeCode
3. Unplugged lesson on communicating with gestures
4. Making the micro:bit into a musical instrument
5. Modifying music programs, reviewing learning and evaluating micro:bit as an accessible musical instrument
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Learning objectives

• can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computer science, including abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation
• have repeated practical experience of writing computer programs in order to solve problems
• can evaluate and apply information technology
• are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology
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Additional skills
Creative thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, evaluation, researching, presenting.
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Resources provided

• Lesson plans (Word)
• Lesson slides (PowerPoint)
• Student handouts
• Sample micro:bit program files
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England KS2 computing curriculum links

• design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems
• solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts
• use sequence, selection and repetition in programs; work with … various forms of input and output
• use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs
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England KS2 music curriculum links

• play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, … playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression
• improvise and compose music for a range of purposes using the inter-related dimensions of music
• listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory
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Code.org CS Fundamentals links
Courses E, F
Concepts included:

• algorithms & programs using conditionals
• ‘for’ loops