Hello and Welcome to my shop! I have a mixture of resources based on my experiences. Mostly, you will find resources for the Primary-Curriculum which have been developed in accordance with my experience teaching Primary. Secondly, you will find music-related resources developed in accordance with my musical training (BA Music - Oxford University). Finally, you will find GCSE A-Level appropriate resources that I developed when I was a student. I hope you will find something of use to you. :)
Hello and Welcome to my shop! I have a mixture of resources based on my experiences. Mostly, you will find resources for the Primary-Curriculum which have been developed in accordance with my experience teaching Primary. Secondly, you will find music-related resources developed in accordance with my musical training (BA Music - Oxford University). Finally, you will find GCSE A-Level appropriate resources that I developed when I was a student. I hope you will find something of use to you. :)
**Lesson four in a series of six lessons on musical instruments and instrumental families. Lesson four is on The String Family
This lesson forms part of a series designed to teach children about musical instruments and instrumental families without the need for music resources or specialist musical knowledge. The lessons are designed to be accessible to students from all musical backgrounds.
Although the lesson does form part of a series, it can also be used a stand-alone lesson on string instrument and does not need to be used in conjunction with other lessons in the series.
This lesson pack contains a presentation and 6 worksheets.
Presentation
The presentation is best used to teach students about the string family. The lesson presentation is structured as follows:
overview of instrument families
overview of the string family - key instruments, common features etc.
Deeper look at the violin, viola, cello, and double bass
Deeper look at the acoustic and electric guitar
Deeper look at the harp
Comparison of string instruments
Three activities
The presentation finishes with three different activity suggestions to consolidate knowledge.
The presentation includes questions and short activities throughout to allow students to take an active part in their learning.
The presentation is long enough and detailed enough that it could be separated across two lessons for lower ability learners. If this is the case, I would suggest splitting into two lessons, starting the second lesson with the comparisons between instruments.
Worksheets
The lesson pack comes with 6 different worksheets, each a different activity as follows:
cut and stick
wordsearch
times table sheet
unscramble activity
fact file writing activity
true or false quiz
Worksheets come with answers where appropriate. All worksheets except the fact file writing worksheet would make excellent starter or plenary activities to frame the lesson.
Unscramble activity involving the names of different percussion instruments. Great activity for learning key words and their spellings. Great starter or plenary activity.
A collection of 7 fact file writing frames for different percussion instruments - drum, cymbal, drum kit, timpani, xylophone, glockenspiel, shakers.
Writing frames include 6 prompter questions with lines underneath to help students structure and focus their fact file. There is space to provide an image.
Prompter questions focus around key features of the instruments and their sound, history of the instruments, description of the instruments, then finish with more reflective questions, encouraging children to think creatively and form opinions.
This resource is a great example of cross-curricular working, allowing students to develop knowledge on a specific topic whilst furthering their literacy skills in a proactive fashion. It combines student’s critical thinking with creative thinking and knowledge-based learning.
True or false quiz about percussion instruments. Questions cover instrument names, key features of percussion instruments and how they make a sound, and percussion instrument history as well as key facts about material and structure. Answers provided on a separate sheet. Great plenary activity to assess student learning. Great cross-curricular activity of developing literacy skills in other subjects.
**Lesson five in a 6-part unit of work on musical instruments and instrumental families. ** This lesson covers the percussion family.
HOWEVER This lesson can work as a stand-alone teaching resource for introducing students to percussion instruments and does not need to be used in conjunction with other lessons in the lesson series
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.
This lesson covers the percussion family. The following topic areas are covered in the lesson: recap of instrumental families, introduction to percussion family and percussion instruments, walk-through of individual percussion instruments, activities. The drum, cymbal, drum kit, timpani, xylophone, glockenspiel, and shakers are discussed in this lesson.
The lesson is structured as a detailed presentation. 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
The presentation has 40 slides. .
Colour is used throughout to aid memory. Animations and transitions are used throughout to engage attention but they are used subtly so as to not become overwhelming or overstimulating.
**Lesson four in a 6-part unit of work on musical instruments and instrumental families. ** This lesson covers the string family.
HOWEVER This lesson can work as a stand-alone teaching resource for introducing students to string instruments and does not need to be used in conjunction with other lessons in the lesson series
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.
This lesson covers the string family. The following topic areas are covered in the lesson: recap of instrumental families, introduction to string family and string instruments, walk-through of individual string instruments, comparing string instruments. The violin, viola, cello, double bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and harp are discussed in this lesson.
The lesson is structured as a detailed presentation. 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
The presentation has 36 slides. Depending on the needs of the pupils and length of the lesson, this lesson could be broken-down into 2 or 3 separate lessons. If breaking the lesson into 2, I would recommend commencing lesson 2 from ‘comparing string instruments’. If breaking the lesson down into 3 separate lessons, I would recommend commencing lesson 2 from the walk-through of individual string instruments, and lesson 3 from ‘comparing string instruments’.
Colour is used throughout to aid memory. Animations and transitions are used throughout to engage attention but they are used subtly so as to not become overwhelming or overstimulating.
Worksheet combining music and times tables. Solve the times table problems to crack the code and spell out the names of keyboard instruments. Answers provided on a separate sheet. Great starter or plenary activity - allows for numeracy and literacy development across the curriculum. Worksheet presented in an appealing way with a musical border.
A collection of 2 fact file writing frames for different keyboard instruments - piano and electric piano.
Writing frames include 6 prompter questions with lines underneath to help students structure and focus their fact file. There is space to provide an image.
Prompter questions focus around key features of the instruments and their sound, history of the instruments, description of the instruments, then finish with more reflective questions, encouraging children to think creatively and form opinions.
This resource is a great example of cross-curricular working, allowing students to develop knowledge on a specific topic whilst furthering their literacy skills in a proactive fashion. It combines student’s critical thinking with creative thinking and knowledge-based learning.
A wordsearch on keyboard instruments and key features of keyboard instruments. Wordsearch involves 11 different words. Answers provided on a separate sheet.
Great plenary or starter activity. Great for learning key words and their spellings. Presented in an appealing way with a musical border and some images.
Unscramble activity involving the names of different keyboard instruments and key words associated with the keyboard family of instruments. Great activity for learning key words and their spellings. Great starter or plenary activity.
6 LESSON SERIES ON MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTAL FAMILIES - WHOLE UNIT OF WORK WITH WORKSHEETS INCLUDED
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:
Introduction to Musical Instruments and Instrumental Families
The Woodwind Family
The Brass Family
The String Family
The Percussion Family
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.
Worksheets
Every lesson comes with a worksheet pack. In each pack there are 6 different worksheets for you to choose from. Each worksheet is a different activity including:
Wordsearch
Unscramble
True or False Quiz
Cut and Stick
Riddles
Fact File writing
Times table problems
Each worksheet aims to consolidate knowledge on the instrumental family at hand whilst also drawing on cross-curricular skills especially numeracy and literacy.
The range of worksheets means the packs are ideal for differentiation and allowing children choice in their learning.
All worksheets come with a separate answer sheet where appropriate. They are presented in an appealing way with large, clear easy to read text, musical borders, and images.
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:
Introduction to Musical Instruments and Instrumental Families
The Woodwind Family
The Brass Family
The String Family
The Percussion Family
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.
A collection of 10 worksheets on woodwind instruments. Five different activities involved in the worksheets.
Factfile writing
Wordsearch
Word unscramble
True or False Quiz
Times table coding sheet
Fact files: Five fact file writing frames are provided in total; one for each of the following woodwind instruments - flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone. The fact file writing frames are structured with subheadings to guide student’s ideas. The worksheet works to promote student’s ability to research independently and transfer their research into their own words as well as organising their ideas…
Wordsearch: wordsearch covering 12 key words regarding woodwind instruments. Answer sheet provided. Great for helping with spelling.
Word unscramble: Focus on the five main woodwind instruments; flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone.
True or False Quiz: 12 question quiz on the woodwind family. Answer sheet provided.
Times table coding sheet: combining skills of times tables and woodwind instrument knowledge. Students solve the times table sums to crack the code and spell out the names of woodwind instruments.
Worksheets could make great starter or plenary activities, or in the case of the writing frames - great inner-lesson activities.
Worksheets work well in conjunction with the woodwind family lesson presentation, also available.
Worksheets are presented in an easy-to-read, appealing format with a musical border and large text.
A collection of 6 worksheets on string instruments. Each worksheet aims to use and develop different skills and draw upon different curriculum areas including numeracy and literacy. Worksheets include:
Times table activity
Wordsearch
Cut and stick
Fact file writing
Unscramble
True or false quiz
Answers are given for each worksheet where appropriate. Worksheets cover: different string instruments, descriptions of those instruments, how they make their sound, history of the instruments.
Purpose of the worksheets vary. Some worksheets, for example the fact file writing, would be ideally placed within a lesson whereas other worksheets would work best as a starter or plenary activity to frame the lesson.
These worksheets are best used in conjunction with the also available resource The String Family Lesson, however they will also work as a standalone resource or with other schemes of learning.
A collection of 4 worksheets on keyboard instruments. Each worksheet aims to use and develop different skills and draw upon different curriculum areas including numeracy and literacy. Worksheets include:
Times table activity
Wordsearch
Fact file writing
Unscramble
Answers are given for each worksheet where appropriate. Worksheets cover: different keyboard instruments, descriptions of those instruments, how they make their sound, history of the instruments.
Purpose of the worksheets vary. Some worksheets, for example the fact file writing, would be ideally placed within a lesson whereas other worksheets would work best as a starter or plenary activity to frame the lesson.
The worksheets would work well in conjunction with also available resource The Keyboard Family Lesson but they can also be used as stand alone resources or with other schemes.
Times Table Problem Solving sheet based around musical instruments. Simple times table sums using times tables up to and including 12x where each answer corresponds with a letter and the letters go together to spell out the names of different musical instruments. Eencourages children to apply their maths and times table knowledge whilst also learning and consolidating knowledge of musical instrument names.
Two worksheets included with answers.
Great as a starter or plenary activity.
Worksheet designed to challenge children to learn and recall the names of musical instruments through the unscrambling of letters. Answers provided on a separate sheet.
Worksheet is laid out in a friendly-manner. Framed in such a way to encourage the children to complete the work by giving a back-story about a character Oli Owl who has mixed up his letters in his musical instrument inventory. Worksheet invites the children to help Oli write his list out again.
First letter of each instrument is left a capital as a starting point for each answer.
Useful for learning musical instrument names, practising handwriting, practising spelling. Great starter or plenary task.
**Lesson two in a 6-part unit of work on musical instruments and instrumental families. ** This lesson covers the woodwind family.
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.
This lesson covers the woodwind family. The following topic areas are covered in the lesson: recap of instrumental families, introduction to woodwind family and woodwind instruments, walk-through of individual woodwind instruments, comparing woodwind instruments. The flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone are discussed in this lesson.
The lesson is structured as a detailed presentation. 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
Colour is used throughout to aid memory. Animations and transitions are used throughout to engage attention but they are used subtly so as to not become overwhelming or overstimulating.
**Lesson one is a series of six lessons on musical instruments and instrumental families. **
This presentation covers lesson one which focuses on introducing the different instrumental families and briefly covering which instruments would be included in those instrumental families and key features of those instrumental families.
The idea behind these lesson is so that children can be taught about music even without having access to musical instruments or a music specialist. Lessons do not require pupils or staff to have prior musical knowledge to be taught and understood.
Focus is on: names of musical instruments, names of instrumental families, key facts and features of musical instruments and instrumental families.
Instrumental families included: woodwind, brass, strings, percussion, keyboard (keyboard has been used a separate category to avoid confusion between whether pianos are string or percussion - this is explained)
Questions are spoken tasks are included throughout to engage pupil’s attention and allow them to have an active part in their learning.
Mind-map tasks interspersed throughout the second half of the presentation and the presentation finishes with a suggestion for two tasks to consolidate knowledge: a research based task, and a worksheet based task (corresponding worksheets available separately).
Colour is used to aid memory and learning. Animations are used to allow for questions to be asked and answered, and to engage pupil’s attention but animations are subtle so as to not be over-stimulating.
