Autumn 1 Term Scheme and Activities 

Instrumental Work Technique

In this first term the children will be learning how to handle the ukulele carefully. How to get it in and out of their cases. The children will be asked NOT to mess with the 'tuning pegs!'

The children will learn how to hold the instrument when playing it sitting down. 

• 'Playing Position' and 'Rest Position' will be key terms.

The children will begin learning a repertoire of pieces on the ukulele reading lyrics and chords from music;

• At first they will be learning to play pieces using their 'Open' (no fingers on the strings) strings

• They will begin to learn basic chords of 'C' and 'F'

• These chords will be used on their own, and together, in songs that the children will learn to sing.

The children will develop the ability to play and sing together, while keeping a steady 'Tempo.'

Children will develop their listening skills, listening to excerpts from Classical and Modern Music. They will begin to get an understanding of music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians. This will help them develop an understanding of the history of music.

The children will begin to develop strength and movement in their left-hand fingers. This will lead to a better 'Stopped' sound - NO CHICKENS! 

But most of all, the children will begin to understand how much fun you can have with this little box of wood!

National Curriculum Statements for this Term;

Pupils should be taught to:

• play and perform in…ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression

• listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory

• use and understand…other musical notations

• appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians develop an understanding of the history of music

Assessment Sheet: Autumn 1