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  2. Music > Key stage 1 > Archived unit: Musical vocabulary (Theme: Under the sea) > Lesson 2: Dynamics and timbre: Underwater world
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This lesson is archived.

Learning objective

  • To explain what dynamics and timbre are.

Success criteria

  •  I can select an appropriate timbre
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National curriculum

Music

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Experiment
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Cross-curricular links

  • None.
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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Arrange the children in pairs. They need to listen to only the audio of this clip: Jaws theme and then take turns speaking to their partner for 30 seconds about the tempo of the piece. They need to consider how the tempo changes and how this might reflect the action in the story about sharks.

Learning objective

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Complete the dynamic changes with them so they can see something to copy if needed; could play louder as they move closer to you and quieter as they move away.

 Pupils working at greater depth

These will be the natural leaders, use the performance opportunities to get them to show the class their sounds and dynamic changes.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: choosing instruments with appropriate

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Vocabulary definitions

  • celeste

    An instrument with a keyboard, like a piano, which makes a soft, high-pitched sound.

  • timbre

    The quality of sound e.g. smooth, scratchy, twinkly.

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In this unit

Assessment - Music Y1: Musical vocabulary

Lesson 1: Pulse and tempo: Dive into danger!

Lesson 2: Dynamics and timbre: Underwater world

Lesson 3: Pitch and rhythm: Underwater world

Lesson 4: Texture and structure: Coral reef

Lesson 5: Musical vocabulary

Originally created by:

Elizabeth Stafford

Music specialist

Liz stafford 2026
Dr Elizabeth Stafford is Director at Music Education Solutions®. Elizabeth Stafford is one of the UK’s foremost experts in music education, widely recognised for her leadership, research, and influence across the sector. As Director of Music Education Solutions, she has worked with schools,…
Find out more
Liz stafford 2026

Maintained by: Kapow Primary team

Last update: 15th January, 2026

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Lesson 1: Pulse and tempo: Dive into danger! Previous Lesson
Lesson 3: Pitch and rhythm: Underwater world Next Lesson

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