Lesson 4: Reading sound patterns
Listening out for and responding to rhythms.New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
Learning objective
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Seat children in a circle and play the link: Happy by Pharrell Williams on VideoLink. Play the audio only.
Ask the children to identify and march along to the pulse. Model moving to the pulse and encourage children who require support to copy so the whole class feels the pulse together.
Allow the children to find the pulse and explain that the music will be paused but they should keep their bodies moving to the pulse using their thinking voice (keeping the pulse in their head).
Pause the music and observe which children can keep the pulse going.
Continue playing the music and observe which children kept the pulse at the correct time. Praise the children who manage to do this correctly.
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After a brief spell as an opera singer, Liz embarked on a 20-year career in music education, teaching at early years, primary and secondary. After Liz had her daughter, she started her own business Music Education Solutions® Limited, helping teachers across the UK deliver music with confidence. Liz teaches Foundation Stage and KS1 music in a primary school, and is also Programme Leader for the largest Level 4 Certificate for Music Educators centre in the world! She is Editor of Primary Music Magazine, a writer for Music Teacher Magazine, and a reviewer for the British Journal of Music Education.
Elizabeth has created lesson plans and resources for a wide range of Music topics including KS2 projects on musical theatre and lessons to encourage pupils to create musical compositions to represent Holi.
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