Singing call and response songs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can sing a response and know what a call and response song is.
Key learning points
- We warm up before singing so that our bodies, minds and voices are ready to sing.
- We can use our voices to chant and sing together.
- We can sing together or on our own and know when it is our turn to sing.
- We know that a response is an answer to a call and can create different responses to a call.
Keywords
Chant - speaking in time to a pulse
Song - music with words
Echo - an exact copy of a musical phrase
Call and response - a question and answer musical structure
Common misconception
Echo and call and response are the same.
An echo is an exact match of a phrase. A call and response is a question and answer structure in which the response can be different from the call.
Teacher tip
Puppets or other props can be really helpful when singing call and response songs. The children know that whoever has the puppet or prop sings the call and then the rest of the class sing the response.
Equipment
Optional: puppet
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Before we sing, what should we always do to keep our voices growing strong and healthy?
Q2.Match the type of music to the type of voice used.
use our speaking voice in time to the pulse
create music with our words using high sounds and low sounds
Q3.An echo is...
Q4.Sometimes we sing and chant together. Sometimes we sing and chant on our own. We need to know when it is our turn to sing. Match the signal to type of singing.
We begin the song or chant.
We echo the leader.
We listen to the leader.
We echo the leader.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.In a call and response song, when the leader is singing, everybody else should...
Q2.Which of these is not a call and response song?
Q3.What type of song is Kye, Kye Kule?
Q4.Rico's Pizza Restaurant is a call and response song. Match the phrases to say whether they are either a call or a response.
call
response
call
response
call
response
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Singing call and response songs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 music lesson on: Singing call and response songs, 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 Start with singing: finding my singing voice unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.