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Singing together to build a community

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can take part in singing games and understand that singing games can be used to strengthen communities

Key learning points

  1. Playground singing games are often short, memorable folk songs that are passed down orally.
  2. Playground singing games are often unaccompanied so that they can be played anywhere.
  3. Playground games can help us connect with one another and can help to build a happy community.

Keywords

  • Warm up - a sequence of exercises used to prepare the mind, body and voice for singing

  • Folk song - a song that originates from a particular country, culture or people that is usually passed down orally

  • Community - a group of people that are connected because they have things or places in common. For example, a school community

  • Unaccompanied song - a song that uses voices only

Common misconception

Playground singing games (such as clapping games) are only played in my school/schools in the UK.

Playground singing games (including clapping games) are shared in playground communities from all over the world. For example, this unit includes playground singing games from the UK, Ghana, Finland, Japan and USA.

Teacher tip

When learning the playground singing games in this unit, encourage pupils to begin by playing the game slowly and steadily. You could use the videos to support with this. Support pupils to master the game slowly first. Group games could be whole class or smaller groups of 3-10.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
When we play singing games, it is important to feel the __________ so we can sing and move in time.

dynamics
Correct answer: pulse
timbre

Q2.
We need to know how the music is organised to play singing games, so we know when it is our turn to sing or to change actions. The way the music is organised is the music's ...

Correct answer: structure
tempo
timbre

Q3.
True or false? All music is shared through reading notation.

Correct Answer: False

Q4.
Why do we warm up in music lessons?

Correct answer: to develop our sense of pulse
Correct answer: to protect and strengthen our voice
to prepare us to sing as loud as we can
Correct answer: to make sure we are alert and ready

4 Questions

Q1.
How are playground singing games often shared and learnt?

by listening to them on the radio
Correct answer: orally, sharing between friends on the yard
by reading notation

Q2.
True or false? Playground singing games are only played in this country.

Correct Answer: false, False

Q3.
Playground games can help us connect with one another and can help to build a happy, welcoming .

Correct Answer: community, school community, class community

Q4.
What happens to your shoulders when you breathe correctly for singing?

they rise up
they drop down
Correct answer: they stay the same

To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Singing together to build a community, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...