Awesome Rhythm: Everything is Awesome Scheme of Work and Resources

Are you sick of tee-ta-tea-tea-ing your way around rhythm? Do KS3 students STILL NOT UNDERSTAND rhythm symbols? Need to bridge the gap between practical and music technology? This scheme of work is for you.

I’ve designed a scheme of work for a KS3 class who have been introduced to the names of rhythm symbols and the idea that they have duration, but need some revision and a modern approach to learning it. This scheme of work lasts a half term (five lessons minimum) and covers revision of rhythm symbols (Semibreve, Minim, Crotchet, Quaver, Rests, Ties and Dots) in a fun way relating to lego. It also covers an introduction into music technology (I have used Garageband but this can be easily tranferred to Cubase or Sibelius etc), texture, and the idea of melody, counter melody and harmony. It can be a fun independent learning project or used for ensemble performances too.

The scheme of work ends with a simple assessment with a grid for teachers to comment on expected progress and a feedback form. There is mastery style tick sheet also. There are three extension tasks attached to lessons 2, 3 and 4.

Note: I have actually done lesson one with physical lego bricks and it has gone down a treat! No more issues there!

I have embedded audio files into the powerpoint but we all know how that can go so I’ve attached that here for reentering too. There is also a copy of every Garageband file for displaying on the board or editing how you like.