Songs from the James Madison Carpenter Collection - For Key Stags 1-5

This resource aims to introduce learners to folk songs using material from the rich and diverse collection made by James Madison Carpenter in England and Scotland in the period 1928 –1935.

It is designed to support learning from Key Stage 1–5 and reflects the many different types of song within the collection - from singing games suitable for younger children and as warm ups, to longer, more complex songs and ballads suitable for older students and more in-depth work.

For each song there are a range of suggested tasks and areas of study, which include musical tasks, as well as tasks related to other areas of the curriculum, such as English Literature, Art & Design, Physical Education, Maths and History. There are also background notes providing information on the history and social context of the songs, as well as ways to open up discussion on possible meanings and interpretations.

The songs are primarily arranged for unison singing, with some additional vocal or instrumental harmonies, accompaniment chords, as well as suggestions for performance, composition and song re-writing. There are vocal and instrumental sound files to accompany this resource pack. These can be accessed via the EFDSS Resource Bank www.efdss.org/resourcebank.

This resource is one of over 100 educational materials in the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Resource Bank of free, downloadable materials. These are designed for you to use in your teaching and learning, incorporating English traditional folk song, music, dance, drama and other arts. They are suitable for use in formal and informal settings including primary, secondary and SEN schools, youth ensembles, community choirs, adult learning and more.