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Lesson 1 of 4
  • Year 6

Film music: habitats

I can compose a motif and use this to begin scoring a nature inspired film score, considering firstly the habitat in my narrative.

Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
  • Year 6

Film music: habitats

I can compose a motif and use this to begin scoring a nature inspired film score, considering firstly the habitat in my narrative.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A film score is an effective tool for adding emotion, tension and drama to a visual story.
  2. The Planet Earth series is an award winning documentary that highlights the impactfulness of powerful film scores.
  3. Creating a motif that represents something in the narrative helps us associate the sound with the visuals.

Keywords

  • Film score - on original piece of music composed to accompany a film or television programme that contributes to the narrative by adding emotion, tension or drama

  • Soundtrack - an recording of all the songs and music used in a film or television series

  • Habitat - an environment or place where an animal or plant normally lives

  • Scoring - creating original music for film or television that enhances the narrative

  • Motif - a short recurring musical idea in a film score that represents a place, character, emotion or idea

Common misconception

Film scores and programme music are the same thing.

A film score is synchronised to the film. It supports the visual, enhancing the story as it happens. Programme music tells a narrative, but is a standalone piece of music and is not bound to the storytelling.


To help you plan your year 6 music lesson on: Film music: habitats, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If you have time across your week, you may like to explore some of the soundtrack music from Planet Earth and compare this to the film scores. Examples include Mother Nature by RAYE and Hans Zimmer and Pompeii MMXXIII by Bastille and Hans Zimmer.
Teacher tip

Equipment

If creating using a DAW (digital audio workstation), pupils will need access to tablets or laptops. Otherwise, a selection of pitched and unpitched classroom percussion.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are elements of music?

Correct answer: structure
Correct answer: texture
ostinato
Correct answer: dynamics
composition

Q2.
The violin belongs to which family of instruments?

percussion
Correct answer: string
brass
woodwind

Q3.
When we combine notes to make a memorable tune, we call this a ...

Correct Answer: melody

Q4.
A creates new music.

Correct Answer: composer

Assessment exit quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
A is an original piece of music composed to accompany a film or television programme that contributes to the narrative by adding emotion, tension or drama.

Correct Answer: film score

Q2.
A successful motif should be:

rhythmic only, a motif is never melodic
long, detailed and with complex harmonies
Correct answer: short, simple and recognisable

Q3.
The music for the three Planet Earth series are examples of:

folk songs
programme music pieces
Correct answer: film scores

Q4.
Match the type of music to its definition.

Correct Answer:film score,an original piece of music that contributes to the narrative

an original piece of music that contributes to the narrative

Correct Answer:soundtrack,the selection of music used in a film or television series

the selection of music used in a film or television series

Correct Answer:programme music,music that aims to represent something non-musical, such as a story

music that aims to represent something non-musical, such as a story