Keeping a steady beat as we move, sing and play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can move to the beat of the music and know when it is my turn to sing, move and respond in time.
Key learning points
- We can use movements, body percussion and instruments to help us feel the pulse and hear the beat.
- When we keep a steady beat we are able to sing our responses and join in with musical games at the correct moment.
- We understand the structure of our songs and know when it is our turn to sing and play.
Keywords
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Structure - the way the music is organised
Common misconception
Beat and rhythm are interchangeable terminology.
The beat is the consistent audible sound of the underlying pulse. Rhythm is the pattern of sounds and silences which can be a combination of sounds of any duration.
Teacher tip
Repeat songs and games, using many different actions to help pupils internalise the pulse. For example marching in time, clapping in time or patting their knees in time. Some motor skills make this easier than others; marching may result in pupils stamping too loudly making the music inaudible.
Equipment
ball, drum, class set of percussion instruments that can keep a clean beat e.g. claves
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Warming up before singing helps...
Q2.The regular, steady heartbeat of the music is called the .
Q3.Match the musical term to the definition.
create high and low sounds with our voice
speaking in time to a pulse
Q4.A percussion instrument is played by...
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.True or false. When we sing the response in a call and response song, we sing an exact copy of the call.
Q2.When we play on the beat, we are...
Q3.Why do we practise our sense of pulse by playing on the beat?
Q4.When we think about the way the music is organised, we are thinking about the musical .
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Keeping a steady beat as we move, sing and play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Keeping a steady beat as we move, sing and play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 music lessons from the Music and movement: feeling the pulse and changing the tempo unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.