Use presentation mode

I'm new

Share lessons with your friends and colleagues for free. Learn more

Are you sure you want to download this lesson plan?

Downloading may not be your best option. Be sure you are looking at the most up-to-date version by always viewing your resources online.

Bookmark or save the link to this lesson so you can find it quickly! Click on the format below to continue download.

Cancel download

Subjects

Art and design Computing Design and technology French Geography History Music Physical education Spanish Religion and worldviews RSE & PSHE Science Wellbeing

Lesson 4: The percussive river

Using the contrasting features of the different stages of a river for inspiration, children compose their own percussive ostinatos.

Free trial

Learning objective

To create and perform an ostinato.

Success criteria

I can create a simple ostinato.
I can play

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

Improvise

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Cross-curricular links

None.

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Before the lesson

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Display the Presentation: Expand and add detail. Working in pairs, ask the children to expand on the statement ‘An ostinato can make a piece of music more memorable’ using their knowledge from the previous lesson.

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Could be given a sentence to use to generate their ostinato rhythm; could write the rhythm directly under the words, copying the way notes look from the Presentation: The percussive river; could choose their own way to notate the rhythm.

Pupils working at greater depth

Could create a longer ostinato pattern; each person in the pair could create a separate ostinato which could then be played together.

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: creating an ostinato and representing it

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

Vocabulary definitions

ostinato

A repeated musical pattern.
percussion

Instruments which make a sound when they are hit or struck.

This content is for subscribers only. Join for access today.

Join Log in

In this unit

Assessment - Music Y4: Changes in pitch, tempo and dynamics

Lesson 1: The singing river

Lesson 2: The listening river

Lesson 3: The repeating river

Lesson 4: The percussive river

Lesson 5: The performing river

Originally created by:

Laura Barr

Music specialist

In her 14 year teaching career, Laura assumed the role of Music Lead, and was Head of Music in a large secondary school. Laura has a passion for working with children with a disadvantaged background, either through deprivation or disability, and now works…

Find out more